Stalking Action Plan
In November 2022, the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, on behalf of the National Stalking Consortium submitted a super complaint about the police response to stalking. On 27 September 2024, following a joint investigation, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS), the College of Policing (CoP), and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) published a report in response.
The report sets out 27 recommendations, 15 of which are for chief constables. The force has developed an action plan which sets out how we will respond and progress the recommendations. In developing our plan, we engaged with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust and sought their critical oversight to ensure the plan is robust and effective.
Executive lead: ACC Crime - ACC Wilson
Operational lead: Head of Crime - Detective Chief Superintendent McDermott
Recommendations
By 27 March 2025, where required, seek changes to their crime recording systems to enable staff and officers to document and search for crimes not recorded as the principal crime, as included classifications on crime records.
| Recommendation: | 7.1 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Processes should be put in place to make sure this system capability is effectively used by officers and staff. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | Effective use of the system capability is already in place. When searching the force crime and intelligence system (Athena), cases of stalking would be identified on a system search irrespective of whether it is recorded as a primary or included offence type. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | Action complete |
| Supporting documents: | Not applicable - system function |
| Recommendation: | 7.2 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | While any necessary system changes are pending, chief constables should put alternative measures in place to make sure stalking and related offences are fully searchable. This could, for example, be the submission of intelligence reports. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | Athena has an included classification field that is fully searchable. This classification field enables users, and particularly analysts, to search for stalking offences even if they are not the primary classification. This gives us the ability to search to support creation of problem profiles, analytics, and individual records. Previously planned changes to the Control Room system mean that call handling staff will imminently have the ability to identify and record calls with a specific 'stalking' crime type. This will enhance the force's capability to search on the Command and Control System, as well as other systems to inform problem profiles. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | Action complete |
| Supporting documents: | Not applicable - system function |
By 27 March 2025, review and update their learning and training provision relating to stalking.
Chief constables should also make sure that their policies and practice are reviewed and updated in accordance with the findings in the super-complaint.
| Recommendation: | 10.1 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Meets the learning outcomes on stalking within the public protection national policing curriculum. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | Policy and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are being reviewed to ensure working practices and learning outcomes align with the recommendations within the super complaint. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 50% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion. |
| Recommendation: | 10.2 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Makes appropriate use of the stalking or harassment e-learning product developed by the College of Policing. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | In early November 2024 the force will commence use of the new College of Policing stalking e-learning product. This training has been mandated for all officers and staff up to and including inspector in operational roles (this includes all first responders such as Control Room staff, Special Constabulary, front counter staff, police community support officers). Whilst mandated to key roles and ranks, the training will also be accessible to any officer or staff member irrespective of their role or rank. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 25% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion. |
| Recommendation: | 10.3 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Uses the skills and knowledge of local victim advocates or others from outside policing with relevant expertise. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: |
As a force we have an excellent relationship with stalking advocacy services; our commissioned service, Victim Support, and others such as Protection Against Stalking, Paladin and the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. We already utilise services to provide continual professional development and training to officers; they also participate in awareness raising and attend Multi Agency Stalking Intervention Panel (MASIP). As an example, advocates assisted us in running a drop-in for stalking victims at Bluewater Shopping Centre for stalking awareness month in April 2024. Our commissioned service is providing continual professional development (CPD) for officers and staff on the roles of stalking advocacy services as part of our series of events for the 16 days of action in November 2024. This training will be recorded and kept available online for all officers and staff to access for future CPD. Stalking advocates attend stalking 'drop-in' clinics which operate within police stations. These are advertised for any officers who have a stalking investigation and have queries or need advice.
The force has also utilised a forensic psychologist who engages in the MASIP and has provided training to over 400 officers in relation to the mindset and capabilities of the stalkers. This training is available online on our InSite pages (intranet site) for any staff to access at any time. Learning and Development will include this within training to new officers.
We are working alongside an academic from university who is providing assessment of the effectiveness of intervention and advocacy to further enhance practice.
Work with advocates and partners to increase expertise and opportunities to further strengthen knowledge and expertise is embedded in Kent.
|
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | Action complete |
| Supporting documents: | Various documents available on request. |
| Recommendation: | 10.4 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Includes information on relevant local policies and practice where necessary. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | The force has had mandatory stalking training in place since 2020 reaching out to over 5,000 officers and staff. This CPD and training highlights and includes references to policy and procedure. This will be refreshed accordingly once the policy review has taken place as at 10.1 above. The periodic reviews of policy will always consider the work and findings of the stalking advocacy services to continually enhance and improve service. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 50% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion. |
| Recommendation: | 10.5 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Provide to the officers and staff who will most benefit from the learning. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | Stalking training has been mandated to those officers who attend, respond to and investigate cases of stalking as per 10.2 above. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 50% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion. |
By 27 March 2025, make sure that appropriate mechanisms are in place to fully understand the scale and types of stalking behaviour within their force and the effectiveness of their response. This should align with the VAWG national delivery framework.
| Recommendation: | 11.1 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Problem profiles using police data and intelligence and other sources of information to ensure that the full extent of stalking is well understood. This could include information sharing with local victims’ services and other public services, and national and local statistics. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | The force will develop problem profiles to ensure a full analysis of the range of stalking offences i.e. online, domestic abuse, stranger offences. Problem profiles will consider a range of data sources and information available from partners, police data and from local and national stalking advocacy services. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 25% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion. |
| Recommendation: | 11.2 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Regular assurance work such as audits to better understand the force response and make improvements where appropriate, including monitoring the use of SPOs, investigation outcomes and the quality of investigations. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: |
The force will work to ensure audits are undertaken. Current internal inspection schedules are being reviewed with a view to include stalking.
As a result of the super complaint publication an internal review of current stalking working practices is underway to highlight good practice and areas of development.
The MASIP effectively monitors stalking prevention orders (SPOs) and investigation quality for cases referred into it and directs activity to safeguard victims and hold perpetrators to account.
Kent have currently successfully achieved 186 SPOs as a force.
Strong governance is in place to track orders through the system. The Stalking Scrutiny Panel (a joint process with the CPS) and the quarterly Stalking Steering Group ensure that there is appropriate focus on this crime type.
|
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 50% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion. |
| Recommendation: | 11.3 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Ways to regularly receive feedback from victims, such as victim surveys. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | On a monthly basis, the Research Bureau carry out random victim surveys on ten recorded stalking victims. This will include any stalking type (i.e. stalking by a stranger, or by current/ex-partner). Thirty domestic abuse (DA) victims are also surveyed and this examines attitudes and behaviours of officers, the speed of response, how the victim was dealt with, safeguarding and signposting. This examines every stage of the process from initial call handling through to investigation. As part of Kent's violence against women and girls strategy community forums also provide valuable feedback. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | Action complete |
| Supporting documents: | Victim satisfaction surveys results. |
| Recommendation: | 11.4 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Force management statements which reflect current and future demand from stalking. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | The force management statement (FMS) reflects current and forecasted future demand. The FMS will continue to evolve and consider new information as it becomes available such as problem profiles to ensure an informed assessment. From 2025, stalking is referred to as a unique crime area on the FMS. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | Action complete |
| Supporting documents: | FMS 2024 |
By 27 March 2025, take steps to make sure that risk identification, assessment and management is effective in all stalking and breaches of orders cases.
| Recommendation: | 12.1 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Consider implementing the stalking screening tool to support the identification of stalking and the risks associated with stalking. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | The force will implement the new stalking screening tool in November 2024 alongside the College of Policing training package. This is designed as a tool to help officers identify stalking behaviour. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 25% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion. |
| Recommendation: | 12.2 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Having clear policies and procedures in place for assessing and managing risk in all cases. And where appropriate, embedding recognised risk assessment tools in force systems so that it is easy for officers to access, use and document their consideration of risk and safeguarding. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | The force's crime recording system (Athena) is currently limited in its capability to record all aspects of the screening tool. All Athena forces are experiencing this challenge and work is ongoing to expand functionality to all forces to be able to embed the stalking screening tool in it's entirety on the Athena system. As an interim measure and until that functionality becomes fully available, details that can be recorded within the Athena system will continue and additionally the stalking tool will be embedded for easy access by officers to utilise, effectively identifying stalking behaviours outside of a domestic abuse case. Athena already enables officers to assess domestic abuse stalking risk assessment 'SDASH'. Athena changes are being progressed nationally. The tool will be available to all officers embedded for use within the existing force IT systems. The entire screening tool will be provided to officers within the College of policing training package that commences delivery in November 2024. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 25% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion. |
| Recommendation: | 12.3 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Recognising (in policies, guidance and training) the heightened risk associated with breaches of protective orders and measures. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | Kent have developed the High Harm Intervention Tool (HHIT) which is based on an evidence based Recency, Frequency, Gravity and Victimisation methodology. This considers the gravity of offences and harm (using the Cambridge Crime Harm Index) with volumes (frequency) and time periods (recency) to provide proactive policing to be focused on strategic, tactical and operational targeting of offenders that cause the most harm (victimisation), and safeguard those that are subjected to the most harm. This tool is regularly used to review harm and associated scores attributed to breaches of protective orders has been tasked. Policy and guidance in its use is clear and complements the National Intelligence Model (NIM) processes. The forces Stalking Protection Order (SPO) policy references the SPO statutory guidance in relation to breach of orders. A range of training and CPD delivery has taken place to focus on additional risk posed when orders are breached. This training will continue as officer continual professional development and protected learning time is scheduled into officers shift patterns. There is a series of stalking specific guidance documents and policy available to officers as well a range of learning resources and training inputs as part of their continual professional development. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 25% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion. |
| Recommendation: | 12.4 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Implementing screening and checking processes to support the early identification, assessment and management of high-risk cases. This may require stalking and breach of order cases to be considered at daily management meetings. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | High risk stalking cases are dealt with within the Rape and High Risk Domestic Abuse Investigation Team. These cases are identified and managed daily within the Crime and Public Protection Command daily management meeting (DMM) and taskings, where appropriate are raised to the force DMM to ensure swift arrest of perpetrators. Through the National Intelligence Model (NIM) processes, high risk stalking offenders are identified and targeted locally and at force level where necessary. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | Action complete |
| Supporting documents: | Agendas available |
By 27 March 2025, take steps to make sure that force strategies, structures and processes are in place so that police consider an SPO in every stalking case, and apply for an SPO where relevant and appropriate to prevent harm and further offending.
To achieve this, chief constables should review, and revise policy, guidance and supporting processes where necessary:
| Recommendation: | 13.1 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Local training and guidance on SPOs, including training and guidance for supervisors. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | Kent have very clear processes and guidance in place for officers, and a service level agreement is in place with Legal Services. The associated training provision is described at 10.4. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 75% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion |
| Recommendation: | 13.2 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Mechanisms for supporting investigating officers to identify cases where SPOs would be appropriate and assisting them with SPO applications. This could be through dedicated teams or roles and/or through daily management meetings considering risk and safeguarding. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | The force has a well established Multi Agency Stalking Intervention Panel (MASIP), in which all high-risk stalking cases are reviewed, as well as all those of a lower risk level where SPOs could be utilised. Training is regularly refreshed to officers as to how/why/when to refer to MASIP and the importance of doing so ensuring SPOs are considered in a timely manner. Tactical advice is provided to officers as well as advice on protective orders. The MASIP meeting is chaired by an experienced DCI and attended by a team of stalking specialists. Our advocacy services - trained Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworkers (ISACs)- participate in the meeting and take a very active role. The force is reviewing our partnership working to broaden attendance at MASIP to other organisations such as Health and Probation and extending links to Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA). Through application of the National Intelligence Model (NIM) processes, these links will be made to the centrally owned offender management teams, governed through Multi Agency Tasking and Coordination (MATAC) and Force Offender Management Boards. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 75% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion |
By 27 March 2025, take steps to make sure stalking victims receive the rights they are entitled to under the victim’s code and have access to support services.
| Recommendation: | 14.1 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Victim needs assessments are always completed |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | Kent Police policy makes it mandatory for the investigator to complete a victim needs assessment (VNA) for victim-based crime, including offences of stalking. Kent received an area for improvement in the HMICFRS PEEL (police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy) assessment 2023/25 in respect of the completion of VNAs and therefore a bespoke action plan is in place to ensure ongoing improvements. This plan includes improvement of officer knowledge on the importance of timely information sharing and enhanced victim rights. There is strong governance over the delivery of this plan and monthly compliance and quality monitoring take place. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 50% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion |
| Recommendation: | 14.2 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Their force has appropriate processes to make sure all stalking victims are told about their rights and under the victims’ code. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | Kent Police policy requires all victims, following report of crime, to be provided with a Victim Care Card (VCC) and this recorded on Athena where this has been done. This allows tracking of compliance. The VCC is a document providing information on the Victims Codes of Practice, what to expect if there is an investigation, and signposting to key support services. Compliance is monitored via monthly data and is tracked through the force’s monthly Victim and Witness Delivery Group. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 75% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion |
| Recommendation: | 14.3 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Information about the national and specialist stalking support services available in their force area is easily available to police officers and staff, victims and the general public. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | The VCC contains key signposting information to national and local support services, including the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) commissioned Victim Support Services. The VCC is now updated to include information on services specific to victims of stalking, including the National Stalking Helpline, National Stalking Advocacy Service and Protection Against Stalking (reflecting government signposting). Information is available on the force internal intranet and through Single Online Home (external website) to the public. Officers and staff have access to information on internal systems on the role of advocacy services, and this is covered in frequent CPD (as at 10.4 of this plan). |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 75% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion |
| Recommendation: | 14.4 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Victims who would like to receive support are referred to an appropriate service in a timely manner. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | All victims have access to Specialist Stalking Advocacy Services - our commissioned service is Victim Support however the force also work closely with Protection Against Stalking. Kent Police automatically opt victims in for a referral to Victim Support (PCC (police and crime commissioner) commissioned support services) unless victims decline. The automatic data transfer is provided daily, referring victims of reported crime over the previous 24 hours. Victim Support will make a direct approach to victims to offer services. We work very closely with our local and national services. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | Action complete |
| Supporting documents: | Data available if required |
| Recommendation: | 14.5 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | They monitor the number of stalking victims who are referred to specialist support services and take action when referral numbers are low. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | Victim Support have a specialist Stalking Advocacy Service which is offered to victims identified through the automatic data transfer from police. Contact is managed by accredited ISACs within the service who are specifically trained stalking advocates. Whilst this service is specialist, it will also signpost and refer to wider services such as health or housing, if outside of their delivery remit. To ensure referrals into this service are timely, data is available on referral rates for victims of stalking, with a rolling 12-month average of 90.8% being referred into services. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | Action complete |
| Supporting documents: | Data available if required |
By 27 March 2025, work together to review commissioning arrangements and make changes as soon as possible to ensure they embed collaborative working and information sharing between policing and services providing victim support to stalking victims.
| Recommendation: | 16.1 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | - |
| Recommendation owner: | CCs, PCCs and their mayor equivalents |
| Force update: | Whilst commissioning of support services is within the remit of the office of the police and crime commissioner (OPCC), Kent Police have been invited to influence service specifications and assess tender submissions. The force is also invited to quarterly meetings to feedback any issues or concerns on the delivery of services. Furthermore, there are regular tactical meetings between the force, Victim Support and OPCC to discuss referrals, improve information sharing and deal with issues as they arise. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | Action complete |
| Supporting documents: | Documentation available via the OPCC |
By 27 March 2025, make sure the new College of Policing investigations APP content on case allocation is reflected in the relevant policies relating to the allocation of stalking and breach of order cases for investigation.
| Recommendation: | 17.1 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Force policies should support the allocation of stalking cases to officers with the right skills and experience, taking into account the potential risk and complexity involved in stalking and breach of order cases. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | Policy and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are being reviewed to ensure working practices align with the recommendations within the super complaint. The force's crime allocation policy ensures that high risk DA and stalking with violence cases are allocated to specialist Rape and Domestic Abuse Investigation Teams (RDAIT). Those that do not meet the threshold of high risk will be allocated to Criminal Investigation Departments (CID) teams who have the requisite skill and training to deal with matters commensurate to that risk. There is clear escalation policy should a case increase in risk. RDAIT and CID teams are being trained on a rolling programme as specialist domestic abuse investigators and this includes a detailed input on stalking, typologies, and legislation. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 75% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion |
By 27 March 2025, take steps to improve the quality of stalking investigations by taking a victim centred, suspect focussed and context led approach.
| Recommendation: | 18.1 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Their workforce has the capacity and capability to undertake effective stalking investigations and can apply new and innovative investigation techniques to pursue digital lines of enquiry. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | As stated in 17.1 dependent on the circumstances, stalking offences will be investigated by either the Rape and Domestic Abuse Investigation Teams or CID teams. Current structures ensure the force has the capacity and capability to undertake effective stalking investigations. In the event that stalking offences under 2a and 4a are effectively merged into one offence of stalking (detailed in this super complaint), this would require a review of allocation policies and the policing model in place. The force Change Team have been tasked to review this to understand the implications. Digital capacity and capability is an area of focus for the force however the training enhancement and potential acquisition of technology is recognised and being considered. The force is exploring best practice in other force areas in this regard. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 75% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion |
| Recommendation: | 18.2 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | All reasonable lines of enquiry are pursued, supported by good supervision. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | The force has a clear investigative framework that ensures every officer approaches every investigation consistently, effectively and with a mindset that is suspect focused, victim centred and context led. Use of this framework ensures officers have a clear focus of each investigation in terms of what they are seeking to achieve in line with the nature of the investigation and who is involved. Investigations have momentum generated through precise lines of enquiry, taking action at the right time and focusing on the right outcome. In addition, performance governance arrangements which include Force Performance Management Committee and Investigation Quality Board provide oversight in respect of compliance and quality. The force holds a Domestic Abuse and Stalking Scrutiny Panel in conjunction with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) where cases are considered to identify lessons learnt. Learning is shared via lessons learnt that is disseminated via Divisional DCIs. We also formulate findings from this learning panel into the training topics with CPS - thus far providing training to over 200 officers which has been recorded and can be revisited. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 75% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion |
| Recommendation: | 18.3 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Arrest and search powers are used to gather evidence from and about suspects. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | As detailed above the investigative framework ensures investigations are suspect focused. In addition, as described at 12.4 process are in place through the daily management meetings to ensure that offences and raised to ensure swift arrest of perpetrators. Ongoing work to increase knowledge in respect of arrest and search powers continues to enhance. The force has a strategic oversight through the Force Performance Management Committee and Investigation Quality Board. Performance benchmarks can be agreed to ensure expected standards are met through these forums. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 75% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion |
| Recommendation: | 18.4 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | The impact on victims is evidenced in witness statements, so it can be used to inform charging decisions and improve the likelihood of successful investigation outcomes. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | Kent currently use the victim impact statement, in combination with assistance from our advocacy partners to ensure the relevant points are addressed and the victim's voice is heard. Victim impact, and reflecting this in statements, is discussed frequently within the MASIP and in training and CPD. As a result of lessons leant through the Stalking Scrutiny Panel, the CPS have provided us with an example of a 'best practice' statement which has been provided to officers for use in stalking cases. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 50% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion |
By 27 March 2025, take steps to improve how their force effectively recognises and responds to online elements of stalking.
| Recommendation: | 20.1 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | The scale and nature of online stalking behaviours informs their strategic understanding of, and the response to, stalking. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | As detailed at 11.1, the problem profile needs to be developed to understand this fully and Crime and Public Protection Command will develop this within the profile working with the Central Analytical Team. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 25% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion |
| Recommendation: | 20.2 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Examples of online stalking are included in locally produced training and guidance material about stalking. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | Cyberstalking is discussed in all public protection provided stalking training. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) have introduced a digital processing software to increase the speed and efficiency of stalking and stalking investigations (Op Atlas). This is currently being reviewed and once completed the force will seek to refresh current training and guidance. Future audits will consider the recognition of cyber and how its impact upon victims is considered, as well as the quality of the investigation. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 75% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion |
| Recommendation: | 20.3 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Clear online safety advice is available to officers and staff, drawing on the College of Policing APP on stalking or harassment when it is developed. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | We currently await the release of the new College of Policing Authorised Professional Practice (APP). When this is available the force will ensure this is linked to existing policy, and highlighted to officers and staff. We currently await the release of the new Authorised Professional Practice (APP). Kent have already embedded cyber stalking advice within our stalking pages that provides existing guidance and signposting to support services. It signposts officers to the cyber stalking clinic where further advice and guidance can be found, including how police can 'digitally safeguard' victims. National Cyber Security Centre advice for victims who are being tracked or virtually monitored is also available to officers through this platform. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion |
| Recommendation: | 20.4 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Appropriate tools, technologies and support services to digitally safeguard victims are procured and officers and staff use these resources when appropriate. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | As referenced at 20.2, a review of Op Atlas will take place however early inputs would suggest use of this software would enable this recommendation to be progressed. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 50% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion |
By 27 September 2025, using the information collated by the NPCC lead under recommendation 21, to consider whether and how dedicated stalking officers and staff, or other subject matter experts, can be used to add value and support the force response to stalking.
| Recommendation: | 22.1 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | - |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | Cheshire and West Midlands are highlighted in the super complaint and a review of their model is being considered as part of the post implementation review (PIR) following the force's recent change in investigative modelling. It is envisaged that by this time there will be clarity around legislative changes to stalking and this will be considered as part of that review. High risk stalking is allocated to specialist investigation teams under the new investigative arrangements with the remaining stalking offences being allocated to staff who have undertaken the training and CPD described within this action plan. There is a clear escalation policy for officers to engage with. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 50% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion |
By 27 March 2025, implement a mechanism for early screening of crimes to improve the identification, recording and management of all stalking cases.
| Recommendation: | 23.1 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Forces should consider screening crimes similar to stalking or where stalking behaviours may be present as part of a course of conduct, like harassment, malicious communications and breaches of orders. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | The force is able to record stalking behaviour however there is currently no mechanism to flag this for easy retrieval/review and a manual trawl is required. Investigators are expected to be context led and suspect focused in line with the investigative framework in order to ensure this is identified. Opportunities are being explored to achieve this recommendation in full without the need for a manual process. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 50% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion |
By 27 March 2025, explore opportunities to improve how their force works with partners to contribute to a multi-agency response to stalking. This should include considering:
| Recommendation: | 25.1 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | How the force works in partnership with healthcare, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), probation services and other criminal justice partners to manage stalking perpetrators and address their behaviour. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables, Police and Crime Commissioners and their mayor equivalents |
| Force update: | Whilst the force has good multi agency working arrangements in place in respect of stalking this will be raised at the next stalking steering group in December 2024. As described at 13.2 and 18.2 the force has good relationships with CPS and is reviewing partnership working to broaden attendance at MASIP to other organisations such as Health and Probation and extending links to MAPPA. All stalking typologies are discussed within MASIP, with trained specialist advocates in attendance. MASIP is distinct from other multi-agency meetings such as MARAC; wider partner agencies such as Probation, Health and Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVAs) are invited to attend when they can add value to a case with pertinent information to share. We are able to readily exploit our excellent working arrangements with support services throughout the county. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 75% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion |
| Recommendation: | 25.2 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | Whether and how they should collaborate with other forces to effectively and efficiently contribute to multi-agency partnerships on stalking. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables, Police and Crime Commissioners and their mayor equivalents |
| Force update: | The force has well established multi-agency processes already, and extensively collaborate with other forces across England and Wales in relation to stalking. Kent often invite other forces to MASIP, ongoing meetings take place through regional groups and the force attends the national stalking and harassment working groups which has led to a vast network of expertise with other forces in relation to stalking practices. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | Action complete |
| Supporting documents: | Various documents available on request. |
| Recommendation: | 25.3 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | How multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) are being used to effectively manage stalking offenders. |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables, Police and Crime Commissioners and their mayor equivalents |
| Force update: | As a result of recent changes, the offender management processes that feed the local divisional Tasking and Coordination Group (TCG) meetings will include MATAC. This will be fed by MASIP and provide the chair of that meeting the ability to identify and refer relevant cases to MAPPA. Following the force modelling changes, the offender management processes and teams will be included within the MASIP arrangements to ensure MAPPA is considered in the management of stalking perpetrators and that other protective orders such as Sexual Risk Orders are also being considered. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | In progress 75% |
| Supporting documents: | Supporting documents will be available on completion |
By 22 November 2024 (56 days from publication), write to HMICFRS, the IOPC and the College of Policing setting out their response to the recommendations made to them. Chief constables should direct their response to the NPCC which should provide a collective response on behalf of all police forces. PCCs and their mayor equivalents should direct their response to the APCC which should provide a collective response on their behalf.
| Recommendation: | 27.1 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | - |
| Recommendation owner: | All bodies subject to recommendations |
| Force update: | As per the update provided for recommendation 28, a copy of this action plan, which sets out the force response to the recommendations, has been provided to the NPCC. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | Action complete |
| Supporting documents: | Email sent to National Police Chief's Council (NPCC) |
By 22 November 2025 (56 days from publication), publish on their force website an action plan which explains what their force will do in response to each of the recommendations made to them and send the NPCC a link to where this action plan can be found.
| Recommendation: | 28.1 |
|---|---|
| Evidence requirements of progress: | - |
| Recommendation owner: | Chief constables |
| Force update: | This action plan was published on the Kent Police website on 22 November 2024 and the required link sent to the NPCC (National Police Chiefs' Council) on 22 November 2024. As per the recommendation a further update will be provided to the NPCC describing progress made against this action plan. |
| Date: | Nov-24 |
| Status: | Action complete |
| Supporting documents: | Kent Police website |