Derbyshire Constabulary's Stalking action plan

Foreword

Stalking is a serious crime which can have a devastating impact on victims and their families.

Derbyshire Constabulary is making significant progress in relation to improving the service offered to victims of stalking, but we know that there is much more to do.

Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) James Abdy who is leading the plan has said: "I am committed to ensuring that the action plan is fully adopted in Derbyshire to help us make the necessary system changes to safeguard the vulnerable within our communities, provide a better service to victims, and bring stalking perpetrators to justice."

We are committed to ensuring that the Stalking Action Plan, developed following the Suzy Lamplugh super complaint, is used to further guide changes to our approach.

The action plan sets out national and locally agreed outcomes which will focus on improving the system as a whole – including the quality of stalking investigations, use of protective measures, and consideration of stalking perpetrator and intervention programmes.

Police Crime Commissioner Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts has said: "Everyone has the right to live a life free from anxiety and free from fearing for their lives.  I am reassured at the seriousness with which the force treats stalking and other forms of harassment and gender-based violence, but there is more to do.

"As the public’s voice in policing, I will work hard to build trust and confidence in our support services and investigative capabilities to encourage anyone concerned that they may be affected by stalking to come forward and report it.

"There is no doubt that stalking is a terrifying crime and one which can have a devastating impact on its victims and their families. I am determined to do what it takes to protect them."

Introduction

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust submitted a super complaint in November 2022. The complaint was reviewed by the College of Policing, Independent Office of Police Complaints (IOPC) and HMICFRS (His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services). On 27 September 2024 HMICFRS published ‘The police response to stalking report’ The police response to stalking - His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services. It sets out a number of recommendations for all Chief Constables in England and Wales, which HMICFRS will inspect in due course.

Performance Measures - How will we measure success?

Alongside the action plan, the Stalking Delivery Group will establish a set of key performance indicators (KPI) to understand what is and isn’t working so adjustments can be made and to ensure accountability of the work within the delivery group. Alongside the KPIs, the Stalking Scrutiny Panel will provide an extra level of performance assurance.