IOPC welcomes the responses to recommendations made in the joint super-complaint investigation into the police response to stalking

Today (8 January) responses to the recommendations made in the  Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and the College of Policing report into the Suzy Lamplugh Trust super-complaint regarding the police response to stalking have been published.

The report, published in September 2024,  included 29 recommendations to chief constables, police and crime commissioners and mayor equivalents, the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Ministry of Justice, Home Office and Crown Prosecution Service.

The responses follow an announcement by the Government in December, setting out measures aimed at protecting victims of stalking, including the Government response to our recommendations. All police forces in England and Wales have now published individual action plans on their own websites setting out the steps they will take in response to the recommendations made to chief constables. In June 2025, the NPCC will publish an update report on the progress made by police forces to deliver against the recommendations.

IOPC Director General Rachel Watson, HMICFRS Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Andy Cooke and the College of Policing CEO, Assistant Chief Constable Tom Harding said:

“We are encouraged by the responses to the recommendations made to improve the police response to stalking. There is recognition across policing, the Government and criminal justice partners, of the need for improvements to make sure reports of stalking are always taken seriously, victims are better protected and at the front and centre of investigations.

“The publication of these responses, including individual police force action plans, is an important step towards positive change. However, the proof will be in the delivery of an improved service to victims of this serious crime. We look forward to the National Police Chiefs’ Council reporting on the progress made across policing, later this year.”