CRIME PANEL TOLD OFFENCE CAN BE A 'PRE-CURSOR' TO MURDER

MORE support will be provided for victims of stalking and harassment in Staffordshire, the county’s police and crime commissioner says.

- By PHIL CORRIGAN

Ben Adams, below, told the Staffordshire police, fire and crime panel that stalking is an area of ‘increasing concern’ and that he ‘absolutely agreed’ with experts who consider it a risk factor for murder.

Mr Adams was responding to questions posed by panel member Councillor Charlotte Atkins, who raised concerns over the small number of stalking protection orders issued in Staffordshire.

According to Staffordshire Police’s PEEL inspection report, in the year ending September 30, 2023, the force applied for just one full stalking protection order and four interim orders - over the same period Staffordshire Police recorded 4,156 stalking offences.

Cllr Atkins also asked whether the force would be recruiting dedicated stalking officers, an idea listed for consideration in last year’s stalking action plan.