The Gloucestershire Stalking Response DSupt Simon Atkinson Public

The Gloucestershire Stalking Response D/Supt Simon Atkinson Public Protection Lead Gloucestershire Constabulary

What is stalking? • Not legally defined • Crime characterised by fixation and obsession • Pattern of repeat and persistent unwanted behaviour. • It destroys lives and is a key indicator of future serious harm • Internet, loitering, watching, spying etc.

The law • Specific offence created in 2012 inserted in the PFHA 1997. • 2 A – harassment which is a course of conduct amounting to stalking • 4 A – involving fear of violence and serious alarm or distress. Offender knows or ought to know they are causing another to fear……

National Impact • Stalking is estimated to affect 1 in 6 women and 1 in 12 men in their lifetime (ONS 2013) • Less than 1% of cases of stalking nationally gets recorded by the police (NCS 2015) • 75% of Domestic Abuse stalkers will turn up at the workplace (Workplace Violence Research) • Stalking behaviour present in 94% of female victim homicides (Monckton-Smith et al 2017) • Homicide costs – £ 1. 3 billion (Institute Econ/Peace 2013)

Local Picture - Observations • Over the last three years 43% linked to DA • Gloucestershire low recorded numbers – 57 2014/16 inc • Harassment figures are masking true stalking offences……… 863 2014/16 inc • Police focus on one aspect • Professionals don’t recognise stalking for what it is • The lack of coordinated response that addresses issues early • Little or no recognition of the links to MH • Quality time to engage; understand the victim’s narrative.

What should I do? • Read the guidance and understand the signs • Show victims you understand • Complete the VIST/DASH • Talk safety plan • Signpost support; ISAC • Think evidential capture • Hold perpetrators to account

What is a Stalking Clinic • A multi-agency panel that will meet monthly to review stalking cases • Offender based interventions • Interventions that are based on the type of stalker identified • Resulting actions across agencies.

How will the clinic work? • Any agency can refer a case • Triage takes place in the daily MASH meeting; stalking risk profile tool • All triage cases supported by the ISAC • Four/five brought to the clinic for discussion • Guidance to case owner and action plan

Advice for victims? • • • If it doesn’t feel right it probably isn't! Seek support from trusted family/friends Report to the police or GDASS; early! Think about telling work Keep a diary in a secure location Screenshot emails etc and save Photograph/video your stalker if safely possible. Get advice; Hollie Gazzard Trust, Paladin etc Tighten security; home, work and on-line

Questions?