Police super-complaints

The recommendation

1. 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.
2. Processes should be put in place to make sure this system capability is effectively used by officers and staff.
3. While any necessary system changes are pending, alternative measures should be put in place to make sure stalking and related offences are fully searchable. This could, for example, be the submission of intelligence reports.

Avon and Somerset Police’s current process

The rule in Home Office Crime Recording Rules (HOCR) to record the behavioural crime, in addition to other most serious notifiable offence reported at the same time (same victim and offender) was removed on 1 June 2023.

Avon and Somerset Police now follow the current HOCR rules for the recording of behavioural crimes,  following a review of crime recording processes by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for Crime Data Integrity (CDI).

Changes Avon and Somerset Police will make

1. At the Minerva Crime and Occurrence Working Group meeting held 8 October 2024, an action was set to establish consistent and joint changes that could be made to our crime reporting software, so that a joint response can be provided. The Force Control and Incident Room (FCIR) for Avon and Somerset Police will participate in this working group.
2. Avon and Somerset Police recommend that the stalking and harassment recording rule (made obsolete in June 2023) be reinstated so that all forces can apply the same rules for capturing these crime types.
3. Existing CDI audit data (audits have been conducted weekly for a number of months), be analysed to assess any gaps in compliance for the classification of crimes related to stalking and harassment. Any gaps will be assessed through recommendations following this analysis.
4. The existing CDI training package for stalking and harassment to be tweaked (to include the new searching guidance) and re-circulated for viewing. This was completed by 14 October 2024.
5. Guidance should be created and circulated force wide, regarding searching for linked involved parties and also be added to the Incident Assessment Unit (IAU) classification template. This was completed by 14 October 2024.
6. The IAU classification template will be amended to include a ‘Yes/No’ question asking: ‘Does this record contain any stalking or harassment element?’, which will be answered by the Avon and Somerset Police classifiers. This will highlight where, for example, a rape is classified, but there was also a stalking and/or harassment element in addition to the principal crime of rape. This request for change was submitted by 14 October 2024.
7. If the user selects ‘Yes’ on the new classification question, a robotics process is to be implemented which creates a new log of enquiry within our crime reporting software to record to remind, or make officers aware that there is a stalking or harassment element, which need to be looked into.

The recommendation

By 27 March 2025, review and update 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.

Avon and Somerset Police’s current process

Domestic Violence (DV) and stalking inputs are provided on the Professionalising Investigation Programme Level 2 (PIP2) investigators course.

The new Specialist Sexual Assault Investigators Development Programme (SSAIDP) covers grooming, coercive control and victim impact.

The Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) and Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP)  curriculums make reference to supporting material, rather than outlining learning objectives for stalking. The taught material from University of the West of England (UWE) is covered in one lesson for both PCDA and DHEP (dealing with both legislation and relevant case studies).

Our learning Subject Matter Expert (SME) on stalking currently delivers training to the following teams/departments:

• Detainee Investigation Team (DIT)
• All of Incident Assessment Unit (IAU)
• All of Communications
• Integrated Offender Management (IOM)
• Criminal Investigation Department (CID)
• Wider organisation departments, with online presentations for internal and external partners
• In November 2024, continuing professional development day between the force and Wiltshire
• Sexual Misconduct Advocates (SMA)
• Lighthouse

There are two e-learning modules that the force has access to. These are not currently mandated.

The notable take-up of either of these modules are as follows:

• Command and control 25%
• DIT 37%
• Intel 31%
• Learning 27%
• Offender management 34%
• Op Remedy 31%
• Operations 31%
• Ops support 48%
• Patrol 16%
• Victim and safeguarding 31%

Changes Avon and Somerset Police will make

1. Avon and Somerset Police will be working with patrol to deliver Stalking Prevention Orders to patrol staff in Spring 2025.
2. Additional inputs to be included within PCDA and DHEP at UWE
3. E-Learning modules to be promoted and mandated

The recommendation

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 Violence Against Women and Girls (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 Stalking Protection Orders (SPO), 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

Avon and Somerset Police’s current process

In January 2023 stalking specialists started a dip sample reviews of stalking investigations, these are completed quarterly and each quarter focus on a theme:

• Perpetrator focus
• Safety planning
• Victim unable to support
• Quality of BRAG (a colour-coded level of safeguarding risk that has been assigned to a case)/DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and ‘Honour’ based abuse) and victim statement (when obtained)

The feedback was fed back to officers in charge and supervisors, where necessary.

Changes Avon and Somerset Police will make

A problem profile has not yet commenced.

The Intelligence department has capacity to deliver four strategic products each year. A problem profile can take on average three months to complete. The force is already committed to completing problem profiles for Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) as well as two others, which have already been commissioned.

There are other outstanding requests, including non-contact sexual offences and 11 VAWG hotspot profiles.

1. Due to the above, a profile for stalking and harassment will likely be instigated Summer 2025 and completed by the end of Autumn 2025.
2. Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) stalking lead for South West joins in the stalking specialist quarterly meetings. The next meeting is due to focus on highlighting what CPS need from the police.
3. The CPS, force and victim services joint scrutiny panel meets quarterly to review stalking cases to ensure best practice with victim centred approach, perpetrator focus, and scrutinising investigation standards.
4. Victims are referred into the Lighthouse Safeguarding Unit where rights are explained, and they work closely with commissioned partners.
5. As part of the Office of Policing Crime Commissioner (OPCC) recommissioning process, operation Tonic was commissioned to review the existing provision for victims, including victims of stalking and harassment with requirements for the future. Tonic spoke with victims, support providers and policing colleagues across the force area to ensure that they had a range of qualitative feedback to embed within the future commissioning arrangements. This work highlighted the need for stalking and harassment support, although identified low demand for non-domestic related stalking. This continues to be explored further.
6. A victim voice survey is being developed which will be an IT solution. The hope it will be launched end of the year and allow victims’ to respond and influence policing with their feedback.
7. The stalking lead completes the force management statement for stalking each year.

The recommendation

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.

Avon and Somerset Police’s current process

Our stalking lead has attended information sharing event with other constabularies which use the stalking screening tool. The force has discussed the tool with the IT department, regarding implementing it.

This could be implemented as a document or a report (from October 24). If this is a national change then Minerva (our supplier for crime reporting software) could make a change on the force’s software.

The force currently use S-DASH (identification checklist) which is now embedded as a report on our crime reporting software, so it is easy to access, use and document with consideration of risk and safeguarding.

Dip sampling assurance work of stalking investigations show that S-DASH is widely used.

Changes Avon and Somerset Police will make

1. Discuss stalking screening tool at regional stalking meeting – this will help to determine whether there will be national change for Minerva.
2. Recommendation is to be raised to Minerva Crime and Occurrence working group. Should the tool be implemented, we will need to ensure sufficient training and awareness to officers using it.
3. Breaches of protective orders (especially SPOs as they are specific to stalking) to be raised to stalking lead and Deputy for review and to drive positive arrest/investigation.
4. Revised allocation policy (February 2024) puts high risk Domestic Abuse (DA), stalking and non DA stalking in Criminal Investigation Department (CID) remit. Consider screening/flagging of HR stalking investigations to stalking leads, to ensure correct allocation.
5. Further awareness raising of importance of CID review for all high risk DA and non DA stalking investigations.
6. Consideration of the stalking team implementing dedicated officers to review all stalking investigations and offer advice and support to investigators. They will have knowledge and oversight of all subjects with SPOs and will therefore be aware of breaches.
7. Dedicated team could deal with all SPO applications (Sussex Police model).
8. Dedicated team to deal with all high risk stalking investigations.
9. Our vision would be to have a dedicated team to mirror multi agency stalking teams created in other forces with Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworkers (ISACs)/Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) aligned.
10. A consideration would be a performance framework to be created to use integrated force data including monthly, or quarterly meetings to monitor key performance indicators, for example crime levels, positive outcomes, Breaches, SPOs.

The recommendation

By 27 March 2025, take steps to make sure that force strategies, structures and processes are in place so that police consider an 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.

Avon and Somerset Police’s current process

SPO training has been delivered to:

• Detainee Investigation Team (DIT) staff in 2023
• Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in November 2024
• Integrated Offender Management (IOM)
• some Bluestone disruption officers

The force had planned to train all of patrol staff, however due to mandatory training in Autumn of 2024, this has not been possible. We would like to deliver this by Spring 2025.

University of the West of England (UWE) have provided input to the stalking lead to deliver Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) and Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) officers. Enquiries made to attend UWE to see the training being delivered.

Stalking specialist members have received additional Continuous Professional Development (CPD) on stalking. There is a CPD day taking place on 26 November 2024, at the force headquarters (joint training with Wiltshire Police).

Changes to SPO process have been made and intranet pages updated. This includes a new crime reporting software occurrence to be raised to record the SPO, which makes it easier to identify subjects.

Where the stalking lead or specialist have intervened (this could be as a result of dip sample assurance work, or contact from partner agency supporting the victim), this has resulted in increased officer in case awareness of SPOs and contact with legal services for consideration of SPO.

Changes Avon and Somerset Police will make

1. The force had planned to train all of patrol staff, however due to mandatory training in Autumn of 2024, this has not been possible. We would like to deliver this by Spring 2025.
2. University of the West of England (UWE) have provided input to the stalking lead to deliver Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) and Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP) officers. Enquiries made to attend UWE to see the training being delivered.
3. Stalking specialist members have received additional Continuous Professional Development (CPD) on stalking. There is a CPD day taking place on 26 November 2024, at the force headquarters (joint training with Wiltshire Police).
4. Changes to SPO process have been made and intranet pages updated. This includes a new crime reporting software occurrence to be raised to record the SPO, which makes it easier to identify subjects.
5. Where the stalking lead or specialist have intervened (this could be as a result of dip sample assurance work, or contact from partner agency supporting the victim), this has resulted in increased officer in case awareness of SPOs and contact with legal services for consideration of SPO.
6. There is currently ongoing work with our stalking lead and legal services to ensure that leads are aware of any new SPO applications to determine whether they need to be referred for management by Integrated Offender Management (IOM) teams.
7. Consideration for dedicated stalking team to review all stalking investigations to provide support and guidance for SPO applications.
8. The force have liaised with Sussex Police who have a dedicated stalking coordinator who completes all SPO applications.

The recommendation

By 27 March 2025, take steps to make sure stalking victims receive the rights they are entitled to under the victims’. 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 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.
• Victim needs assessments are always completed.

Avon and Somerset Police’s current process

If a victim is referred to Lighthouse Safeguarding Unit, victim witness care officers will complete a victim needs assessment (known in the force as a “common needs assessment”).

Avon and Somerset Police do not currently capture the assessment information within a specific template or report. It will likely be within the officer in charge initial summary, or further investigation log.

Changes Avon and Somerset Police will make

1. The force is developing data metrics for how they capture the victim needs assessment for the Investigative Standards Forum and the anticipated Ministry of Justice Victims Code of Practice (VCOP) data returns. We predict this the be complete quarter one, 2025.
2. We know from PEEL (Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy) findings, that the lack of officer-completed victim needs assessment is an area under review. The force plans to progress as they work through PEEL recommendations.
3. The force has appropriate processes to make sure all stalking victims are told about their rights under the victims’ code.
4. Victims of stalking are referred to the Lighthouse Safeguarding Unit where the rights, as per VCOP, will be explained to all victims. The Lighthouse Safeguarding Unit also works closely with commissioned partners to make sure the rights are explained through the criminal justice journey.
5. Victim information packs are currently being developed. This information will supplement how officers, staff and victim witness care officers interact with victims and will provide a written guide to ensure that victims know what they are entitled to, how and when. These packs are looking to be completed by quarter one, 2025.
6. Information about the national and specialist stalking support services available in the victim’s force area is easily available to police officers and staff, victims and the public.
7. Advice about specialist stalking support services is easy to locate on the Avon and Somerset Police website. This will be complemented by information on the Lighthouse website (which is also due to be updated), completion date of quarter four, 2024.
8. Victims who would like to receive support are referred to an appropriate service in a timely manner.
9. Timeliness and quantity of contact is measured through performance frameworks within the Lighthouse Safeguarding Unit, for example, we know that victim contact timings overall has halved during the last 12 months so we are contacting victims quicker than before.
10. Each victim will have a different need or expectation (as assessed by our common needs assessment) as we operate within a victim-centred approach, so whilst there is no single benchmark that will be suitable for all victims, we know that our approach is improving.

The recommendation

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.

Avon and Somerset Police’s current process

The head of victim care, safeguarding and vulnerability sits on the Office of Policing Crime Commissioner (OPCC) victims recommissioning board.

The board was set up to oversee the new recommissioning process for all victim services between 2025-2028 who are then utilised via the Lighthouse Safeguarding Unit (LSU) referrals process, and wider across the organisation.

As part of this recommissioning process, operation Tonic was commissioned to review the existing provision, and requirements for the future. Tonic spoke with victims, support providers and policing colleagues across the force area to ensure that they had a range of qualitative feedback to embed within the future commissioning arrangements.

This work highlighted the need for stalking and harassment support although identified low demand for non-domestic related stalking. Tonic recommended that the OPCC office continue to work with the constabulary to identify the full scale of this crime type and the harm it causes to our victims.

Changes Avon and Somerset Police will make

1. The adult victim service will have an over-arching responsibility to support stalking victims, all agencies will work closely with the national support agencies if specialist knowledge and support is required.
2. Further work through the Community Safety Partnerships will need to take place to make sure local authority commissioning for domestic abuse services is sufficient and joined-up, this will be a long-term piece of work due to the existing fractured domestic abuse contracts across the Avon and Somerset force area.

The recommendation

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.

Avon and Somerset Police’s current process

Revised allocation policy (February 2024) puts high risk Domestic Abuse (DA), stalking and non DA stalking in Criminal Investigation Department (CID) remit.

Dip sample assurance work does show that CID are not dealing with all high risk stalking, both DA and non-DA. This is largely down to subjected view of risk and what constitutes high risk. There is evidence of CID reviews downplaying the risk to the victim and not accepting ownership of the investigation, only to then take ownership of the investigation weeks later.

Changes Avon and Somerset Police will make

1. Consider screening and flagging high risk stalking investigations to stalking leads, to ensure correct allocation.
2. Adherence to the allocation policy – all high risk DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and ‘Honour’ based abuse) and stalking to be investigated by CID.
3. Further awareness, raising of importance of CID review for all high risk DA and non DA stalking investigations.
4. Consideration of implementation by stalking team – dedicated officers to review all stalking investigations and offer advice and support to investigators. They will have knowledge and oversight of all subjects with Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs) and will therefore be aware of breaches.
5. Consideration of crime allocation unit to determine allocation and ownership of an investigation from the outset.
6. Allocation flow of high risk stalking cases could be measured in a new performance framework.

The recommendation

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.

Avon and Somerset Police’s current process

In January 2023, stalking specialists started a dip sample reviews of stalking investigations. These are completed quarterly and each quarter focus on a theme:

• Perpetrator Focus
• Safety planning
• Victim unable to support
• Quality of BRAG (a colour-coded level of safeguarding risk that has been assigned to a case)/DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and ‘Honour’ based abuse) and victim statement (when obtained)

The feedback was fed back to officers in charge and supervisors, where necessary.

Digital stalking investigations and evidence gathering/safeguarding has been a training input for Detainee Investigation Team (DIT) investigators and for stalking specialist members. This is to be included in any further training for patrol officers.

The Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) stalking lead for South West joins in the stalking specialist quarterly meetings. The next meeting is due to focus on highlighting what CPS need from the police.

Changes Avon and Somerset Police will make

The changes are overlapped with recommendation 10, regarding training needs for the organisation, especially patrol.

1. Consideration for implementation of Cell Site Analysis Suite (CSAS) and Operation Atlas (Met Police), which will be discussed at Governance and Scrutiny Board in October 2024.
2. Consideration of a dedicated stalking unit to review all investigations, provide guidance and oversight.
3. Domestic Abuse (DA) – Operation Soteria will look at bringing in victim centred, suspect focussed and context led approach via a team of academics reviewing our problem areas for DA and then finding practical solutions to ensure better service to victims. DA heavily overlaps with stalking and this project will heavily positively influence investigation standards, perpetrator focus and victim centred policing.

The recommendation

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.

Avon and Somerset Police’s current process

Digital stalking investigations and evidence gathering/safeguarding has been a training input for Detainee Investigation Team (DIT) investigators and for stalking specialist members. This is to be included in any further training for patrol officers.

Information available on the force’s intranet titled “Digital Cybercrime” contains advice for investigators and to provide to victims regarding online safety and security.

Changes Avon and Somerset Police will make

1. Digital Media Advisors (DMAs) embedded in Criminal Investigation Department (CID) consideration for awareness and knowledge sharing across all directorates.
2. Digital stalking training to be included in the training delivered to all patrol officers. Our cyber crime team have been supporting this since 2023.
3. Consideration for implementation of Cell Site Analysis Suite (CSAS) and Op Atlas project (Met) – to be discussed at Governance and Scrutiny Board in October 2024.
4. Exploration of TecSafe solution to safeguard victims of domestic abuse and stalking.

The recommendation

By 27 September 2025, using the information collated by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC)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.

Avon and Somerset Police’s current process

Since January 2023, Avon and Somerset Police have had approximately 40 stalking specialists. The members include officers and staff from all areas of the organisation, therefore there are different levels of knowledge and experience in relation to investigating stalking and safeguarding victims.

In January 2023 stalking specialists started a dip sample reviews of stalking investigations, these are completed quarterly and each quarter focus on a theme:

• Perpetrator focus
• Safety planning
• Victim unable to support
• Quality of BRAG (a colour-coded level of safeguarding risk that has been assigned to a case)/DASH (Domestic Abuse, Stalking and ‘Honour’ based abuse) and victim statement (when obtained)

The feedback was fed back to officers in charge and supervisors, where necessary.

Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) stalking lead for South West joins in the stalking specialist quarterly meetings. Next meeting is due to focus on highlighting what CPS need from the police.

Members of the stalking specialists have participated in Stalking Awareness Day and have a regional collaborative Continuing Professional Development (CPD) day in November 2024, to give them additional and bespoke training to help increase their knowledge of stalking investigations and the impact on victims, this will enable them to better support officers in case.

Subject matter experts, for example CPS and victim support services including Paladin and legal services have all been part of these awareness days and CPD. Some members of the specialist group are trainers or assessors, therefore are used to deliver stalking training across the organisation.

CPS, force and victim services are part of a joint scrutiny panel who meet quarterly to review stalking cases to ensure best practice with victim centred approach, perpetrator focus, and scrutinising investigation standards.

Changes Avon and Somerset Police will make

1. A new dedicated Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworkers (ISACs) will be trained from November 2024 which will cover Bristol, South Gloucester and North Somerset. There is joint working to maximise the benefits of these staff.
2. Consideration for a dedicated stalking team, with the following options:

• Smaller team to review and provide support and guidance to all stalking investigations. Each investigation would need to be flagged for review once classified as stalking. This would increase investigative standards by ensuring the correct legislation is being applied. This would highlight the need for Stalking Protection Order (SPO) on more stalking investigations.
• Dedicated resource to complete all SPO applications (Sussex use this model)
• Larger team of resources to investigate all high risk stalking investigations.

The recommendation

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.

Implement a mechanism for early screening of crimes to improve the identification, recording and management of all stalking cases.

Avon and Somerset Police’s current process

Avon and Somerset Police have a robust process for the early screening of high priority crimes.

Logs using a crime opening code on our software are pushed to our crime recording software within 30 minutes, or those with only a crime closure code are pushed on closure.

These are all then reviewed by a specialist crime classier within the Incident Assessment Unit (IAU). Those crimes deemed ‘high priority’ (current rape and sexual offences) are colour coded on the workload of the IAU, so that they can be classified as a priority.

All other crime reports are classified according to a ‘queue system’ based on timeliness; this is so that the 24-hour crime recording rule can be adhered to.

Changes Avon and Somerset Police will make

1. Stalking and harassment crime reports, with immediate affect (14 October 2024), will be prioritised in the IAU workload, so that they are screened and classified at the earliest opportunity.

The recommendation

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 Crown Prosecution Service (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.

Avon and Somerset Police’s current process

Regarding Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworkers (ISACs) within the force, our previous Police Crime Commissioner (PCC) declined our requests for ISACs, which we sought to achieve via interviews or questionnaires, national charity support and PCC direct contact.

We therefore proposed to match fund four IDVAs with Nextlink to go on the stalking ISAC course, with support from the force’s vulnerability lead.

CPS stalking leads join the quarterly stalking specialist meetings and have attended and and delivered inputs on Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training events.

Domestic Abuse (DA),Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) and stalking No Further Action (NFA) scrutiny panels review NFA decisions by police and CPS for learning. Attended by police, CPS and victim services such as Nextlink and Safelink.

Currently, MAPPA high risk stalking offenders can be referred into the high harm team for offender management. This often will be supported by MAPPA arrangements if there is a multi agency management need. MAPPA arrangements are far better managed if we have a dedicated Integrated Offender Management (IOM) manager. Promoting referrals to IOM via training and the stalking specialists, and our performance framework to understand the risk of those with SPOs or pending SPOs can bring better alignment with IOM and MAPPA services.

Changes Avon and Somerset Police will make

1. The new IDVAs will cover Bristol (2), South Glouc (1) and North Somerset (1). They start their course on 1 October 2024, and complete it 27 November 2024. This will be the first bespoke stalking support services in the force.

   Our aspiration is to initially upskill IDVAs in the other force areas, before developing a longer term commissioning plan to have full time ISACs. Nextlink are keen to work towards this solution, but funding is a challenge.

2. Explore how two other police forces obtained Home Office funding to have multi-agency stalking teams. This would be the vision for how we would tackle stalking within Avon and Somerset Police.  With police, victim services, and CPS fully aligned to maximise better outcomes for victims and greater perpetrator focus.
3. Raise the recommendation at the Regional Stalking Group, whether assets be shared regionally.