Police failing to protect stalking victims in too many cases, bombshell review finds
THE police are failing to protect stalking victims in too many cases, a major review has found.
And it concluded hundreds of lives could be at risk.
Watchdogs behind the report yesterday called for urgent action to improve the way police in England and Wales handle stalking cases and support victims.
They also urged a law change to make it easier to prosecute the crime.
It follows a complaint by a coalition of charities in 2022 over how stalking is policed.
The probe was carried out by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and the College of Policing.
They found “clear evidence” supporting the concerns raised and said: “In too many cases the police response was not good enough and victims were being let down.”
Out of 470 cases reviewed, there was a risk of serious harm or homicide in 297.
But police identified dangers in just 66.
IOPC chief Rachel Watson said: “We saw too many cases where police failed to recognise stalking or protect victims and policing must act to improve this.”
It is estimated 1.6 million Brits were stalked last year.