Hampshire Police Stalking Clinic Lauded as National Best Practice
The Hampshire Police Stalking Clinic has hit the headlines again, earning top marks from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust in their latest national report. Released during National Stalking Awareness Week (16-22 April 2018), the report ‘Out of Sight, Out of Mind’ spotlights Hampshire’s pioneering multi-agency approach to tackling stalking.
Multi-Agency Team Tackles Stalking Head-On
Commissioned by Hampshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, the stalking clinic reviews each stalking case as it’s reported. The team includes police officers, probation services, the CPS, Southern Health’s mental health pros, plus a dedicated victim advocate. Every month, they join forces to tackle the highest-risk cases, aiming to stop stalkers in their tracks and keep victims safe.
Training Officers to Spot and Stop Stalkers
The report highlights a common issue nationwide: police sometimes miss stalking cases due to lack of training. Hampshire has cracked this by having a specialist victim advocate and a detective inspector co-deliver training sessions. This hands-on, joined-up approach has paid off—referrals surged since the training began. Between 15 January and 14 March this year, a hefty 208 cases were sent to the Hampshire Stalking Clinic.
“This joined up approach to training facilitates understanding,” said Lucy Kay, stalking service manager at Aurora New Dawn. “We’ve seen an increase in referrals since undertaking the training.”
Stopping Stalkers, Supporting Victims
Detective Chief Inspector Suzette Allcorn of Hampshire Constabulary emphasised the relentless nature of stalking. “Stalking is a crime of persistence, marked by fixation and obsession. It devastates victims emotionally and physically.” She pledged ongoing hard work with partners at the clinic to protect victims and halt stalkers.
“We will continue to work hard with partners through Hampshire’s multi-agency Stalking Clinic to ensure everything is being done to stop the behaviour and protect victims.”
Rare and Recognised—A Model to Follow
Michael Lane, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and one of just seven PCCs nationwide to fund specialist stalking support, expressed pride in the clinic’s success. “The Hampshire Stalking Clinic is an excellent example of partnership working against a crime that leaves victims feeling isolated and vulnerable.”
He added, “Stalking affects every part of a victim’s life — from mental and physical health to family and work. Having the right specialist support is vital to meet their emotional and practical needs.”
