'Force' Police Stalking Action Plan: in response to the Super Complaint submitted by Suzy Lamplugh Trust on behalf of the National Stalking Consortium

7.1

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

The Constabulary is moving to Niche in 2025, when comprehensive training will be rolled out, including to all teams responsible for crime recording.

In progress

7.2

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.

The Constabulary is mandated to 'flag' a number of crime types under the Home Office Counting Rules. In Gloucestershire additional flags, including for stalking, are applied to ensure that crimes involving stalking are easily identifiable. This method has been in place for 18 months, with the appropriate teams trained to apply 'flags' to recorded crimes.

The constabulary's next steps will be to conduct a series of 'dip samples' to ensure that 'flags' are appropriately applied in a consistent manner.

Complete

10.1

Meets the learning outcomes on stalking within the public protection national policing curriculum.

The Constabulary's Learning and Development department are currently reviewing learning outcomes to ensure they are compliant with the national curriculum in relation to stalking.

In progress

10.2

Makes appropriate use of the stalking or harassment e-learning product developed by the College of Policing.

Stalking and Harassment awareness training has been mandated by the executive team. By January 2025, the College of Policing e-learning package will be completed by all Investigators (Including Officers and Police Staff) within our Response, Investigation teams and Complex Investigation teams.

In progress

10.3

Uses the skills and knowledge of local victim advocates or others from outside policing with relevant expertise.

Gloucestershire Constabulary benefits from a multi-agency Stalking Clinic which aims to provide drop in support for all investigators. This support incudes tactical, victim and safeguarding.

Complete

10.4

Includes information on relevant local policies and practice where necessary.

The Constabulary's Stalking policy and relevant 'How to guides' have been recently reviewed and updated in 2024 and are published on the Force intranet. A further review will be conducted by the end of 2024 in order to ensure compliance with this plan.

Complete

10.5

Provide to the officers and staff who will most benefit from the learning.

Extensive stalking training was completed in 2022 to Officers.

Stalking forms part of training programmes, including the Student Officers initial training programme.

Complete

11.1

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.

A problem profile has been commissioned and will be conducted by the Constabulary's Intelligence department to be completed by March 2025.

In progress

11.2

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.

The constabulary will continue the Stalking clinic which is a multi-agency service. The stalking clinic works to dip sample investigations held within all teams across the force and provides advice on stalking investigations.

Complete

11.3

Ways to regularly receive feedback from victims, such as victim surveys.

Victim feedback is received through the Organisations ISAC (Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworker) process, who attend the stalking clinic and provide victim centred feedback to investigating officers.

The Public Feedback team (Professional Standards) provide monthly feedback in relation to complaints concerning stalking.

Within the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) there is a consultation officer whose role is to ensure that the victim's voice is fed through all partnership processes, although this is not specifically for stalking.

The Constabulary will consider a bespoke Stalking Victims Survey in 2025.

In progress

11.4

Force management statements which reflect current and future demand from stalking.

Stalking will be included in the Force Management Statement which is due to be submitted to His Majestiy's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) in May 2025.

Complete

12.1

Considering implementing the stalking screening tool to support the identification of stalking and the risks associated with stalking.

A request has been made to the Niche project team to understand if the screening tool can be built into the new system for the go live date.

Within the Stalking clinic the Stalking Risk Profile (SRP) is utilised to identify and manage risk.

In progress

12.2

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.

Clear policies are already in place to assess and manage risk.

The Constabulary is considering the introduction of the stalking screening tool as a stand alone risk assessment tool for 2025.

In progress

12.3

Recognising (in policies, guidance and training) the heightened risk associated with breaches of protective orders and measures.

The Constabulary has increasingly focused on protective orders and measures over the past 12 months.

There has been clear direction to officers that a breach of a protective order is a new offence and is a heightened risk.

Complete

12.4

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.

The Constabulary will look to consider a daily process to identify and highlight high risk cases or breaches which require escalation, which will be taken to the Vulnerability Board for a decision by the end of 2024.

In progress

13.1

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

Guidance and videos have been completed and published on the Force intranet pages, dedicated to stalking.

Complete

13.2

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.

Drop in sessions commenced with Stalking Clinic to support officers investigating stalking offences.

Complete

14.1

Victim needs assessments are always completed.

The Constabulary's dedicated Victims Hub currently manages all victims of Domestic abuse (DA) so would therefore pick up all DA related stalking.

Non DA stalking remains the responsibility of the individual Officer In Charge. There are further plans to increase the remit of the Victims Hub in 2025.

In progress

14.2

Their force has appropriate processes to make sure all stalking victims are told about their rights and under the victims’ code.

This is a standard operating procedure for the force. The dedicated Victims Hub has responsibility for DA offences whilst other crime types are the responsibility of individual Officers In Charge. Audits completed by Inspectors work to ensure compliance and hold officers to account in relation to VCOP.

In progress

14.3

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.

The dedicated intranet pages for stalking signposts and directs officers to appropriate support services.

In progress

14.4

Victims who would like to receive support are referred to an appropriate service in a timely manner.

High risk non-DA cases are refereed to ISAC service provider via the stalking clinic, with all DA related cases referred to Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS).

Standard and medium risk non-DA cases are referred to Victims Support.

In progress

14.5

They monitor the number of stalking victims who are referred to specialist support services and take action when referral numbers are low.

The Stalking Clinic monitors and records the referrals made to the ISAC provider.

The commissioners of the specialist victims services monitor all referrals and source of the referral at all quarterly contract monitoring meetings.

The Constabulary's stalking lead is tasked to understand and recognise when referral levels are low.

In progress

16.1

Quarterly meetings take place where performance is reviewed and opportunities to improve collaboration sought.

The Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (DASV) strategic coordinator is a jointly funded role between the OPCC, Police and Gloucestershire County Council which supports collaboration.

In progress

17.1

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.

Cases of high risk stalking are referred to the stalking clinic to determine if they require allocation to PIP2 qualified officers.

Outside of the Stalking Clinic Supervisors are aware of the escalation process to ensure appropriate resources are allocated.

In progress

18.1

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.

A Constabulary Governance Board (CGB) paper has been submitted and authorised recognising the need for a dedicated DA and Stalking team.

Currently the operational setup means that the Reactive Investigation Team (RIT) manages and investigates the majority of stalking cases.

In progress

18.2

All reasonable lines of enquiry are pursued, supported by good supervision.

Force policy dictates that all crimes should be supervised by a Sergeant every 28 days and an Inspector every 60 days.

Investigation plans are set at the outset and reviewed to ensure all reasonable lines of enquiry are explored.

Complete

18.3

Arrest and search powers are used to gather evidence from and about suspects.

Training for stalking offences specifically centres on recognising the fear of violence under the Section 4 offence which has associated search powers.

Complete

18.4

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.

Stalking training allows officers to identify the key points to prove between Section 2 and Section 4 offences and ensures that the most appropriate prosecution is completed.

Complete

20.1

The scale and nature of online stalking behaviours informs their strategic understanding of, and the response to, stalking.

The County DA Needs Assessment contains a chapter in relation to both DA and non-DA stalking.

A specific Stalking Problem Profile has been commissioned, to be completed in 2025.

In progress

20.2

Examples of online stalking are included in locally produced training and guidance material about stalking.

This is not currently covered within the stalking training however will be considered in the learning review in 2025.

In progress

20.3

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.

Officer guidance is provided to support victims who are the victim of online stalking activity with ongoing work to develop and review the Constabulary's Stalking Policy.

In progress

20.4

Appropriate tools, technologies and support services to digitally safeguard victims are procured and officers and staff use these resources when appropriate.

The Force aims to purchase the Hollie Guard App to replace the previously used 'Flare App' which incorporates a logging system.

ISAC and GDASS currently provide digital safeguarding advice.

The Digital Intelligence Investigations Unit (DIIU) have been tasked to understand the criminal use of tracking devices and the evidential opportunity.

In progress

22.1

A CGB paper has been submitted and authorised recognising the need for a dedicated DA and Stalking team. Currently the operational setup means that the RIT manages and investigates the majority of stalking cases. The RIT is predominantly staffed with student officers.

The Stalking Clinic has a Subject Matter Expert who is dedicated to the role and supported by a Detective Inspector (Tactical lead), DASV Coordinator (Strategic) and a lead Force solicitor to support and advise on ancillary orders.

There is dedicated specialist services for victims of stalking through ISAC and GDASS who have ISAC trained Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs).

In progress

23.1

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.

This is a current gap for the Constabulary. The Stalking Clinic currently dip samples and they are sign posted to high risk cases. The proposed DA and stalking dedicated team would provide greater opportunity to screen and proactively identify cases. This will be a consideration to implement in 2025.

In progress

25.1

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.

The Stalking Clinic involves representatives from probation, the CPS and the MATAC. There was previous representation from health which requires reinvigoration.

The Stalking Coordinator attends Multi-Agency Public Protection Agreements (MAPPA) meetings to represent stalking issues.

In progress

25.2

Whether and how they should collaborate with other forces to effectively and efficiently contribute to multi-agency partnerships on stalking.

The Stalking Tactical Lead (Detective Inspector) sits on the regional tactical stalking meeting.

In progress

25.3

How multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) are being used to effectively manage stalking offenders.

The Stalking Coordinator attends MAPPA meetings to represent stalking issues in appropriate cases.

In progress