Forces face scrutiny amid failures to protect women from stalkers
EVERY police force across the country is to be investigated over “systemic” failures to protect women from stalkers.
In the latest blow to public trust in policing, three watchdogs have agreed to examine a super-complaint by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust which said police forces have put victims at risk because of “deep-rooted” failures to identify, investigate and prosecute stalkers.
Only 5 per cent of reports of stalking to police in the year ending March last year resulted in a charge by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Police dropped their investigation in 30,000 cases because of “evidential difficulties”, even though the victim supported action against the perpetrator. HM inspectors of police, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, will carry out a two-year inquiry.
The three watchdogs will make recommendations to the forces that could lead to new rules. The number of stalking and harassment offences has risen by 45 per cent in two years to a record 719,430 offences.