Stalking: GMP response to Suzy Lamplugh Trust Stalking Super-complaint
In November 2022, the Suzy Lamplugh Trust submitted a super-complaint regarding the police response to stalking on behalf of the National Stalking Consortium.
A super-complaint is a complaint where “a feature, or combination of features, of policing in England and Wales by one, or more than one, police force is, or appears to be, significantly harming the interests of the public” (Section 29A, Police Reform Act 2002). The super-complaints system is designed to examine problems of local, regional, or national significance. More information on police super-complaints and the process for making a super-complaint is on the government police super-complaint webpage.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and the College of Policing jointly investigated the super-complaint to decide if the features of policing raised are significantly harming the interests of the public, and, if so, what should be done about it.
We welcome the findings of this joint investigation into the national police response to stalking. We are fully committed to transparently addressing the recommendations set for forces, and have now submitted our updates against the recommendations to the NPCC, with progress made against them all.
Stalking is a serious crime that can have a devastating effect, leaving victims feeling in constant fear. In some cases, stalking can tragically escalate to serious physical harm, or murder.
We want to ensure the communities of Greater Manchester, particularly victims, feel reassured that reports of stalking will be treated seriously by GMP, and preventative safeguarding measures will be implemented wherever possible.
This means recognising stalking behaviours, and the risks associated with this crime, keeping victims and the public safe, and pursuing perpetrators, by investigating reports proportionately, effectively and taking appropriate action to stop offending and seek justice.
We have already made significant progress in improving our response to stalking, working with the Deputy Mayor’s office to develop a dedicated Stalking Triage Centre based within our Public Protection Governance Unit in April 2024. This is staffed by subject matter experts who are available to provide support and guidance to front line officers and offer specialist advice on the process of applying for Stalking Protection Orders.
We will seek to further develop this initiative to further improve our response, particularly in support of our wider work to address Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
I am grateful to the Suzy Lamplugh Trust and the National Stalking Consortium for raising this important issue and to all those victims who bravely shared their experiences.
ACC Steph Parker.
Find a link to GMP’s original action plan here.
Find a link to read the action taken against that action plan here. (link to the doc attached to this email please)
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