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Concern as report finds 'patchwork' support for victims of stalking
The Guardian
|August 09, 2025
Survivors of stalking, campaigners for women's safety and heads of law enforcement have raised concerns over continuing failings by police in England and Wales to tackle perpetrators and protect victims.
They warn that while some forces are doing innovative work on stalking, others are not improving quickly enough, leading to a "patchwork" service and victims facing a "postcode lottery".
The concerns come as courts deal with two high-profile stalking cases. This week a 71-year-old man from Berkshire, Phil Appleton, was ordered not to contact the actor Anna Friel or go to the area where she lives, after admitting to stalking her.
Next week a 39-year-old man from West Sussex, Rob Keating, will be sentenced for stalking after threatening to kidnap an American travel influencer and travelling to her home in Bali with rope in his suitcase.
In September 2024, after an investigation led by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, 15 recommendations over stalking were made to heads of police.
This story is from the August 09, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
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