An independent review of staling laws has been announced by the government as part of its efforts to halve violence against women and girls as the latest statistics show 1.4 million people over 16 experienced stalking last year, according to the Crime Survey for England and Wales.
The government day there is also evidence of police forces ‘routinely’ failing to recognise stalking according to a super-complaint published by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust on behalf of the National Stalking Consortium in November 2022. The subsequent investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IoPC), His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and the College of Policing published its report in September 2024, recommending the Home office change the law on stalking after campaigners said current legislation doesn’t do enough to protect victims.
The review, which will be undertaken by criminal barrister Richard Wright KC will examine whether current laws are strong enough to protect victims and ensure perpetrators are punished. It will also look at how stalking and harassment laws work together and any flaws which might hamper the efforts to tackle stalking effectively. Concerns over changes to methodology and the rise of online stalking will test whether the law has kept up, or needs reviewing.
Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips said:
“I’ve sat with victims of stalking who’ve shared, in painful detail, how this wicked crime has devastated their lives. That’s why this review is vital – to make sure our laws are strong and bold enough to protect victims and track down perpetrators, as part of our mission to halve violence against women and girls within a decade.”
The terms of reference for the review reveal it will assess:
- Whether the legislation sufficiently defines and addresses stalking behaviour and whether it is possible to clearly delineate between stalking and harassment behaviours, particularly in terms of the drafting of criminal offences.
- Whether the interaction with harassment legislation makes for a coherent and effective legal framework.
- The impact of new and emerging technology and whether the current legal framework can deal with stalking behaviours facilitated by technology.
Richard Wright, KC said:
“I am very grateful for my appointment to conduct this independent review of stalking laws. The stalking super complaint has shone a light on the experience of victims of stalking within the criminal justice system and my review will be conducted rapidly to identify any gaps in existing legislation and make any necessary recommendations for change.
“It is essential that the criminal law provides the necessary level of protection to victims of this serious offence and that as a result victims have confidence in the criminal justice system and feel able to report dangerous stalking behaviour.”
The full review, including any recommendations, will be published by March 2026.
