Stalking victims left at ‘serious risk’ by police failures, report finds

Damning report by police chiefs in England and Wales reveals systemic failures in support for victims and calls for change

Systemic failures in the way police deal with stalkers are leaving victims at serious risk" with some given wrong and potentially dangerous" advice, a damning report by police chiefs in England and Wales has found.

Ten months after a coroner warned that stalking victims were facing a postcode lottery" of support following the death of Gracie Spinks at the hands of her stalker, an internal examination has found evidence of the risks of stalking being downplayed, officers failing to join the dots between stalking incidents and a lack of training and confusion over what constitutes stalking.

A lack of assessments may be leaving some victims at serious risk.

Laws and guidance for police are confusing and inconsistent".

There is a lack of understanding by police of the scale and types of stalking in their area.

Problems with the quality and resourcing of some investigations.

Worryingly low" use of stalking prevention orders (STOs).