To Chief Constables: 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.

Processes should be put in place to make sure this system capability is effectively used by officers and staff.

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.

Our action

By March 25, we will ensure our crime recording system allows for associated crimes to be listed in a way that is searchable therefore enabling our workforce to search for and document crimes not recorded as the principal crime ie: stalking.

Pending completion of action above, we will put interim measures in place to ensure stalking and related offences are fully searchable on internal systems.

Update 25 March 2025 

We have responded to the National Task & Finish Group set up by the NPCC lead, DCC Green (Merseyside), which is considering the police response to Rec 7. Subsequent discussions have been held and a solution is still being sought that can be agreed by all forces. 

Pending completion of action above, we have put interim measures in place to ensure stalking and related offences are fully searchable on internal systems.

An interim proposal was set out in a briefing paper and subsequently approved by our Stalking Tactical Delivery Group. The additional course of conduct occurrence codes went live on 10 Feb 25 and are working well.

Recommendation 10

To Chief Constables: By 27 March 2025, review and update their learning and training provision relating to stalking so it:

• Meets the learning outcomes on stalking within the public protection national policing curriculum.
• Makes appropriate use of the stalking or harassment e-learning product developed by the College of Policing.
• Uses the skills and knowledge of local victim advocates or others from outside policing with relevant expertise.
• Includes information on relevant local policies and practice where necessary.
• Is provided to the officers and staff who will most benefit from the learning.

Chief constables should also make sure that their policies and practice are reviewed and updated in accordance with the findings in the super-complaint investigation report.

Our action

Our policies and procedures will be reviewed within agreed timeframes, in light of any changes to legislation, public protection national policing curriculum, and any other drivers, including the findings of the super-complaint investigation report.

We will develop a training package specifically regarding Stalking Protection Orders for all supervisors.

Learning and Development will maintain an up-to-date list of officer’s skills and training received in relation to Stalking.

UPDATE 25 March 2025

Our policies and procedures have been fully updated and will remain subject to review.

A training package on Stalking Protection Orders has been developed by our Stalking Team and is being delivered to front line supervisors via mandatory Bitesize Training Sessions throughout March 25.  

Training records are maintained by our Learning & Development Team.

To Chief Constables: 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. Mechanisms should include:

• 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.
• 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.
• Ways to regularly receive feedback from victims, such as victim surveys.
• Force management statements which reflect current and future demand from stalking.

Our action

We will develop a Stalking Problem Profile which identifies perpetrators / victims / locations.

Assurance data such as findings from audits and other dip-sampling relating to Stalking will be evaluated and lessons learnt published via the Intranet and wider as appropriate.

Information will be shared on NYP intranet and website and for audit findings and published reports will be highlighted and accessible for wider scrutiny.

We will explore opportunities to gather feedback from stalking victims, particularly non-Domestic Abuse related.

The current and future demand of stalking will be outlined in our Force Management Statement.

UPDATE 25 March 2025

A Stalking Operational Problem Profile was published in December 24. The recommendations will be tracked for each Command Area through their Local Tactical Tasking & Coordination Group and overall recommendations through the Stalking Tactical Delivery Plan.

NYP invited the Suzy Lamplugh Trust to review their response to Stalking in late 2022 and the report was published in May 2023. The recommendations were incorporated into the Stalking Tactical Deliver Plan. Progress is tracked and available to view on the Force Intranet. Information has also been shared with our Domestic Abuse Local Partnerships. All our internal assurance work is published on the Force Intranet. A single audit on our response to stalking will be completed be the end of March 25. Findings will be published, and progress tracked in due course.

Our Problem Profile tells us that 89% of stalking reported in North Yorks & York is Domestic Abuse (DA) related. Feedback from DA-related stalking victims is captured through the Victim’s Survey conducted by Leicestershire Police on our behalf.  A number of victims of stalking were interviewed by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust as part of their NYP Review in 2022.

Their feedback informed the recommendations, all of which were adopted by NYP. We are keen to hear more feedback from victims of stalking and will work with the office of the Deputy Mayor and our key partners to explore other ways to gather feedback from victims with lived experience. 

Stalking has featured in all Force Management Statements submitted to date and will be included in FMS7.

To Chief Constables: 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, including by:

• Considering implementing the stalking screening tool to support the identification of stalking and the risks associated with stalking.
• 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.
• Recognising (in policies, guidance and training) the heightened risk associated with breaches of protective orders and measures.
• 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.

Our action

We will develop a plan for the implementation of Stalking Screening Tool (SST), ensuring the training and communications plans are aligned.

We will monitor and gather intelligence from police and other sources/partners to ensure repeat, serial and high-harm offender profiles remain current, and discussed at daily management meetings as required.

We will utilise the local and force tasking and coordination process to drive actions designed to disrupt and pursue high-harm stalking perpetrators, including positive action taken for breaches where applicable.

We will maximise use of performance and quality assurance data to identify good practice and lessons learnt.

UPDATE 25 March 2025

Implementation of the electronic Stalking Screening Tool into the existing IT system is considered by the NICHE Minerva group nationally. It is anticipated that a national solution will be available in the next few months. The College of Policing will provide guidance on when and where it should be used.

Intelligence requirements are captured in the Stalking Operational Problem Profile published in December 2024 Our partners can submit intelligence electronically via the Online Partnership Intelligence Form. The Stalking Team highlight high-harm and repeat offenders via Daily Management Meetings and Local Tactical Tasking Coordination Groups as appropriate.

They advise the Officer in the Case on preventative measures and protective orders and highlight any cases of concern via Crime Commanders. 

The Stalking Team maintain contact with high-harm victims throughout the process, from first reporting to the end result. They maximise opportunities to identify breaches early and direct Area Commands to take positive action.

Work is ongoing with our Business Insight team to build effective data dashboards which can be used to measure performance both within Safeguarding and Area Commands.  To date, four dashboards are available (Stalking and Harassment Crimes, Stalking and Harassment outcomes, Active Stalking Protection Order flags and active Stalking person flags).

To Chief Constables: By 27 March 2025, take steps to make sure that force strategies, structures and processes are in place so that police consider a Stalking Protection Order (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 where necessary:

• Local training and guidance on SPOs, including training and guidance for supervisors.
• 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.

Our action

Stalking Protection Orders (SPO) will be considered for every stalking case and rationale provided where this is not pursued.  Where a SPO is not applicable, other measures will be considered.

Training and guidance on SPOs will be delivered to supervisors.

UPDATE 25 March 2025

The Stalking Procedure stipulates that Stalking Protection Orders or other measures should be considered in every case.  The commissioned audit will test compliance and results will be shared and help drive improvements in the coming months.

We will develop a Civil & Criminal Orders Team, which will enhance our capacity and capability to apply for more Stalking Protection Orders in the future.

Mandatory Bitesize Training Sessions will be rolled out for First Line Supervisors in March. Guidance is also published on the SharePoint Stalking Page.

To Chief Constables: By 27 March 2025, take steps to make sure stalking victims receive the rights they are entitled to under the victims’ code and have access to support services. Chief constables should make sure:

• Victim needs assessments are always completed.
• Their force has appropriate processes to make sure all stalking victims are told about their rights and under the victims' code.
• 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.
• Victims who would like to receive support are referred to an appropriate service in a timely manner.
• They monitor the number of stalking victims who are referred to specialist support services and take action when referral numbers are low.

Our action

We will maintain and monitor use of existing protective measures, reviewing quarterly data on effectiveness.

We will ensure all stalking victims are informed of their rights under the Victims Code and needs assessments will be completed in every case and at the earliest opportunity.

Assurance data such as findings from thematic testing, quality assurance audits and other dip-sampling relating to Stalking will be evaluated and lessons learnt published via the Intranet and wider as appropriate.

We will ensure that no crime is closed without the victim first being informed of their Right to Review the decision to finalise a crime. 

Victim referrals will be submitted following all stalking incidents, which will inform safety planning and signposting to support services.

UPDATE 25 March 2025

Use of orders and protective measures is reviewed via Team Performance and Quarterly Performance Meetings. Police referrals to specialist support services are tracked.  Many victims/survivors self-refer, and these figures are not reflected in Police data.

MARAC repeat data is reviewed quarterly and is shared with key partners by way of a Steering Group Report.  All orders, such as Domestic Violence Protection Orders, Non-Molestation and/or Restraining Orders are reviewed, and breaches proactively pursued. Data is collated and features in a range of Safeguarding Dashboards. Our next step is to share this information on the NYP Website. 

Our Criminal Justice Dept monitor compliance with the Victim’s Code and Victim Needs Assessment, which also features as part of monthly Quality Assurance Thematic Testing. 

An audit of stalking occurrences by the Victim’s Services Quality Assurance Co-ordinator, has been recently completed. Results are mixed and have been shared with Crime Commanders, with a view to improving our performance.  Our next steps will be to publish the findings on The Source. We plan to repeat the audit within six months to track progress. 

Audit findings are published on the intranet. Thematic testing is reviewed at various force meetings including:  Force Performance, Use of Police Powers, Crime Investigation Standards and Vulnerability Board. Our next step will be to ensure that findings are shared via the NYP Website. 

The Victim’s Right to Review is available for Police and CPS decisions. Compliance is tracked by the Criminal Justice Dept via their governance structures.  

Safeguarding referrals (PPNs) must be submitted for all stalking incidents, including non-DA related. 

The Stalking Team review all high-risk DA related cases and all stranger stalking cases.The Stalking team are available to provide advice and support to the front line. All high risk PPNs are referred to specialist support services irrespective of consent, but medium and standard risk require consent of the victim.

To Chief Constables, PCCs and their mayor equivalents: 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.

Our action

Officers and staff will complete safeguarding referrals in compliance with force guidelines, ensuring that information is shared with the appropriate service to safeguard the victim.  Compliance rates will be monitored and reported via the Force Performance Framework.

We will gather and review monthly data on information sharing and safety planning for stalking victims (both DA and non-DA related) including repeat incidents, to ensure safeguarding is effective and fully collaborative.

UPDATE 25 March 2025

as above (Rec 14). PPNs are reviewed daily by the Domestic Abuse and Stalking Teams and a weekly check is conducted for any incidents flagged as DA for any potential misses.

As above.  Dashboards have been built to reflect the data and it is anticipated that dashboards will be reviewed and improved in due course, to ensure that we can fully track performance.

To Chief Constables: 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.

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.

Our action

We will continually check that our force allocation and investigation procedure remains fully compliant, thus ensuring that officers with the right skills are investigating stalking offences. 

We will ensure the findings of the Suzy Lamplugh Super Complaint are reflected in policies / procedures.

UPDATE 25 March 2025

Compliance with the procedure is checked via the new Crime Scrutiny Monthly Meeting as well as forming part of Team and Quarterly Performance Meetings for each Area and Dept. Data is tracked via a number of Dashboards, most notably Crime & Investigations Overview and Supervisor Overview.

Policies and procedures have been updated and will remain subject to review.

To Chief Constables: By 27 March 2025, take steps to improve the quality of stalking investigations by taking a victim centred, suspect focussed and context led approach. Chief Constables should make sure:

• 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.
• All reasonable lines of enquiry are pursued, supported by good supervision.
• Arrest and search powers are used to gather evidence from and about suspects.
• 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.

Our action

Our Learning and Development department will produce an outline of those courses delivered in force that include a stalking element (including digital lines of enquiry), by way of a baseline which can be further reviewed, and any gaps identified.

We will review and update learning and training provision in relation to stalking as outlined in Rec 10 of Police Response to the Super Complaint.  For example, learning outcomes meet national public protection policing curriculum; utilises e-learning product by College of Policing, and uses local victim advocates and other experts.

We will continually check that our force allocation and investigation procedure remains fully compliant, thus ensuring that officers with the right skills are investigating stalking offences. 

Special Measures will be considered for Stalking victims, which will be monitored via an assessment process yet to be agreed.

We will ensure impact on stalking victims is captured via a Victim Personal Statement at appropriate stages of the investigation (eg, at the outset, post-charge and post-conviction/pre- sentencing).

UPDATE 25 MArch 2025

There are a range of student officer courses that include a stalking element (eg Stalking & Harassment /Domestic Abuse, Investigative Mindset, Victim Care, Cybercrime/Digital Forensics and IDAS.

Other courses include

Stalking Awareness to front line response, DA Matters, CID PIP2 Training Course.

The College of Policing also provide a mandatory eLearning package on stalking.

Work is ongoing with the Learning & Development Dept and the Stalking Team to review our training provision in relation to Stalking. (See update at Rec 10).  Completion rates for all College of Police e-learning packages, including Stalking, are monitored via the College Learn Dashboard. 

There is a link to the College of Policing Approved Professional Practice in the Stalking Procedure and is highlighted on the Stalking SharePoint Page. 

We are already working with victims to enhance learning; a stalking victim spoke to a multi-agency conference, hosted by the then PFCC, in July 23, and further opportunities will be explored throughout 2025. The Stalking Team are subject matter experts in their own right and have featured in a short video in summer 2024, to raise the profile of the team within NYP and with our partners.

NYP employ a Special Measures Advisor who raises awareness around special measures to officers and reviews pre-charge cases for stalking to check if they meet the criteria. She liaises with the Officer in the case to provide SME support and advice and challenges cases where special measures have not been considered.

Our Criminal Justice Dept monitor compliance with the Victim’s Code and Victim Needs Assessment, which also features as part of monthly Quality Assurance Thematic Testing. An audit of stalking occurrences by the Victim’s Services Quality Assurance Co-ordinator, has been recently completed. 

Results are mixed and have been shared with Crime Commanders, with a view to improving our performance. Our next steps will be to publish the findings on The Source. We plan to repeat the audit within 6 months to track progress.

To Chief Constables: By, 27 March 2025, take steps to improve how their force effectively recognises and responds to online elements of stalking. This should include making sure:

• The scale and nature of online stalking behaviours informs their strategic understanding of, and the response to, stalking.
• Examples of online stalking are included in locally produced training and guidance material about stalking.
• 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.
• Appropriate tools, technologies and support services to digitally safeguard victims are procured and officers and staff use these resources when appropriate.

Our action

In order to identify the scale and nature of stalking - specifically online stalking – we will explore the creation and use of an 'online' stalking flag on Niche for victims and perpetrators, ensuring officers and staff are made aware of when it is to be used.

Stalking procedures and training provisions will include information / advice on online stalking behaviours.

Subject matter experts will undertake victim safety planning, area visits and advice as required.

We will procure tools, technologies, and support services to digitally safeguard victims and utilise appropriately.

UPDATE 25 March 2025 

Feedback from Cyber Crime Team confirms that a Cyber Flag already exists and can be used for stalking perpetrators where computer misuse offences are committed. The Stalking Team already consider digital offending when conducting investigation reviews in High Risk and Stranger Stalking cases. Next steps will be to ensure that online offending is reflected in our performance data. 

The Stalking Team already consider digital offending when giving advice to both victims (safety planning and signposting) and the Officer in the case (investigation advice).  Online offending and safety advice was included in recent Stalking Training to the frontline Sept-Nov 24.  

An information guide on Digital Opportunities has been published on The Source (intranet) and links added to the Stalking Procedure and Stalking SharePoint page. The Yorkshire & Humber regional Cybercrime team will undertake a series of workshops from mid-April 25 on VAWG offences, including stalking, providing information and advice to officers and our key partners, such as IDAS, Social Services. They will also host survivor clinics across the region, supported by IDAS.   

The Digital Opportunity Guide  outlines when it is appropriate to call out a Cybercrime Officer to a scene.  The Stalking Team undertake safety planning with victims and advise officers re safety planning and evidence gathering.

The Open University’s Centre to Protect Women Online publish a newsletter which, due to our academic partnership with the OU, is available to NYP.  The newsletter will ensure we remain up to date with the latest innovation.

Our digital forensic team already possess equipment to support this work. There are plans expand their capability by investing in more advanced technology aimed at better improving our capability.  Funding for the new technology/ equipment has been acquired through NPCC funding and will be procured before the end of Q4 24/25 in readiness for use in April 2025.

To Chief Constables: By 27 September 2025, using the information collated by the National Police Chiefs’ Council 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.

Our action

We will review the feedback from recommendation 21 from NPCC and consider any necessary changes / best practice which will add value and support the force response to stalking.

UPDATE 25 March 2025

An update from the NPPC lead is awaited. We set up a dedicated Stalking Support Team in Jan 2021, made up of 2 x Stalking Support Officers and 1 x DC. Since then, it has expanded to include a dedicated Detective Sergeant in 2022. 

The team provides bespoke support to victims throughout the Criminal Justice Journey, referring to specialist support services as appropriate, but maintaining contact throughout.  The D/Sergeant and PC provide investigative advice to officers and complete reviews of all high-risk and non-DA related cases

To Chief Constables: By 27 March 2025, implement a mechanism for early screening of crimes to improve the identification, recording and management of all stalking cases.

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.

Our action

We will plan for the implementation of the Stalking Screening Tool (SST), ensuring training and communication plan are aligned.

UPDATE 25 March 2025

See update at Rec 7.

To chief constables and police and crime commissioners and their mayor equivalents: 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:

• How the force works in partnership with healthcare, the CPS, probation services and other criminal justice partners to manage stalking perpetrators and address their behaviour.
• Whether and how they should collaborate with other forces to effectively and efficiently contribute to multi-agency partnerships on stalking.
• How multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) are being used to effectively manage stalking offenders.

Our action

We will further develop a multi-agency risk assessment meeting for high-risk stalking perpetrators.

We will further develop stalking perpetrator profiles for high-risk offenders, with associated plans accessible to frontline officers.

We will explore opportunities to work with partners and other forces to manage stalking perpetrators and address their behaviour.

We will support existing multi-agency processes to manage high-harm offenders, ensuring that offenders are managed at the most appropriate level.

We will further develop the multi-agency meetings, securing attendance and full engagement from appropriate agencies, including NYP.

UPDATE 25 March 2025

NYP facilitates a multi-agency risk assessment meeting for non-DA related high-risk stalking perpetrators, which meets when necessary. 89% of stalking offences within North Yorks & York are domestic related and all DA cases are discussed at MARAC.

The perpetrator profiles were highlighted to officers attending Development Day stalking training from Sept 24. The Stalking Team complete profiles for the highest harm offenders only due to limited capacity.

NYP is working alongside regional CyberCrime teams as part of the Regional ROCU (see Rec 20 updates). The Probation Service now attend MARAC and non-DA multi-agency Stalking Assessment Meetings and are a key partner in managing perpetrators.

NYP have excellent links with HM Prisons and continue to proactively use the Unwanted Prisoner Contact Scheme. High harm offenders are adopted into MATAC as required and/or referred to MAPPA where necessary. The Stalking Team maintain good working relationships with other forces to manage cross border offending and will work with other forces to support Stalking Protection Order applications. 

MATAC attendance has improved significantly in 2024 but there is more work to be done.  A new meeting schedule is currently being piloted, which allows for more time to discuss cases per district on a weekly rather than monthly basis.  The pilot will be evaluated by the end of June 25. 

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.

Our action

Actions will be progressed and updates will be collated in due course.

UPDATE 25 March 2025 

this initial action was completed prior to 22 Nov 24. The action plan has been updated on 25 March 2025. 

By 22 November 2024 (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.

By 27 March 2025 (six months from publication) provide an update to the NPCC, describing the progress they have made against their action plans.

Our action

• This action plan was published on 19 November 2024
• We will provide an update on our progress no later than 27 March.

UPDATE 25 March 2025 

An update will be provided to the NPCC describing NYP's progress against the published action plan by 27 March 25. 

In addition, we have updated this public-facing action plan on 25 March ahead of 27 March.