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The Victims’ Commissioner has welcomed a new review by the London Victims’ Commissioner, which finds that the criminal justice system is failing victims of stalking.
The London Victims’ Commissioner’s review was commissioned specifically to investigate the Metropolitan Police’s response to stalking in London.
Claire Waxman’s report found 45% of stalking victims withdrew from the justice process and a further 41% saw no further police action on their complaints.
It also found “confusion” in the Metropolitan Police and wider justice system about anti-stalking laws”.
The review has made 13 recommendations to the Met, the government and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) to overhaul the justice system’s response to stalking.
This includes the government looking at establishing a stand-alone offence of stalking that “provides a clear definition of stalking to… remove the onus on the victim to prove the impact”.
In her statement, the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Baroness Newlove, backed these calls, saying: “A standalone simplified stalking offence with a clear definition could streamline investigations and prosecutions This change is overdue and one I would strongly support.”
Responding to the London Stalking Review 2024, Baroness Newlove said:
The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, Baroness Newlove, said:
“I welcome this report and its recommendations. While shocking, these findings sadly come as no surprise and serve as a reminder that significant work remains to effectively tackling stalking. Although this report focuses on London, I suspect similar issues plague police forces nationwide, making many of these recommendations relevant on a national level. Indeed, they reflect the systemic failings outlined in the National Stalking Consortium’s police super-complaint.
“We need a multi-pronged approach to tackle stalking. Historically the ability to identify patterns of stalking behaviours and share information between forces has been lacking. This must change.
“Improved training is essential to effectively identify offending and assess risk. Multi-agency working is also essential to drive results, bringing together those with specialist understanding of the crime.
“Stalking legislation also requires reform. It has been over 10 years since the government legislated to make stalking a criminal offence; despite good intentions the complexity of the legal framework may be acting as a barrier. A standalone simplified stalking offence with a clear definition could streamline investigations and prosecutions This change is overdue and one I would strongly support.
“As this report highlights, victim services face significant funding challenges. Short-term contracts and high caseloads hinder their ability to provide effective support. Yet these services are a vital lifeline. A stable funding model is essential to ensure they can effectively serve those in need.”
