Just six percent of reported stalkers in Greater Manchester are charged

The rate of reported stalkers charged by police in Greater Manchester has fallen to just six percent, according to government data for the twelve months ending March 2022.

Figures analysed by the BBC’s Shared Data Unit found charge rates have fallen to six percent, a continuing year-on-year trend from 2014/15 where it was as high as 35%.

According to the data, a quarter of all cases in Greater Manchester are dropped because of difficulties in collecting evidence – despite the victim supporting action.

More than half of reported cases end with the victims not supporting further action.

Of the cases that do end up in court, the conviction rate for stalking offences is 66% across England and Wales.

Meanwhile the number of stalking incidents reported to the police have more than tripled, jumping from 32,000 cases in England and Wales three years ago to nearly 100,000 in 2021/22.

In Greater Manchester, 7,142 incidents of stalking were reported to police in 2021/22, up from 4,701 the previous year.

The Home Office said the rise is linked to a change in the way stalking offences are recorded, and that they take their response to stalking “extremely seriously”, pointing to the introduction of SPOs and the doubling of maximum sentences.

The data comes as specific stalking legislation was introduced in England and Wales ten years ago last week (21 November).

Katy Bourne is the lead for stalking in Wales and England. She is also a victim of stalking.

She says although the changes to the law ten years ago was a positive step, there is more that could be done.

“It’s good to recognise that we do have stalking legislation, that’s a huge step forward.

“Are we where we should be? No, I think there is still a lot more to do from all agencies, from police, making sure they recognise it, that they can actually gather intelligence around it. And then from courts, and partners, making sure we can actually prosecute it successfully.”

She said over the next ten years she would like to see police forces “recognise stalking” and “using the legislation as the default” rather than opting for harassment laws.

“I’d like to see a well-established perpetrator program for perpetrators for stalking to try and prevent their behaviour, and I’d like to see every police force adopt a stalking clinic: so that those really difficult cases can be put before specialists, so police officers can gather the correct intelligence, they know where to go to get the help they can pull those cases together, and then we get those successful convictions through the courts.”

The National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for stalking and harassment, Deputy Chief Constable Paul Mills, said: “We’re approaching the 10-year anniversary of stalking becoming a specific crime in England and Wales. It is only right that we recognise how significant this change in the law was and reflect on what has been done since to tackle these serious crimes, which can have a devastating effect on the lives of victims and their friends and family.

“We have focused our efforts on continued professional development and raising awareness to increase the early identification and reporting of stalking offences, to better understand the true extent of stalking behaviour, why it occurs and its frequency. We have also introduced specialist advisors and single points of contact who are responsible for improving standards in each of the 43 forces of England and Wales.

“In 2018, a joint protocol was published with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure that there is joined-up approach in the investigation and prosecution process.”In January 2020, the Stalking Protection Act came into force and saw the rollout of Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs) giving the police a new tool to help better protect stalking victims. This has included the development of bespoke training and supporting statutory guidance.

“We recognise there is more to do to improve the criminal justice system outcomes for victims of stalking and are working closely with the CPS to understand the attrition of cases before the point of charge and court. We remain committed to bringing about the very best outcomes for all victims of these life changing crimes.

“I urge anyone who believes they may be the subject of stalking or harassment offences to come forward at the earliest opportunity and report their concerns to police or other support agencies so we can work with them to protect and safeguard them.”