Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has launched a scathing attack on police forces across England and Wales for their "shocking" failure to properly track down and monitor stalkers, despite having the legal powers to do so.
Speaking at a conference in Liverpool, the Labour MP revealed that nearly half of all Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs) issued by courts are not being enforced by police. These orders, introduced in 2020, were designed to protect victims by restricting offenders' behaviour before they're convicted.
Systemic Failures Exposed
Cooper highlighted particularly poor performance by the Metropolitan Police and Merseyside Police, where enforcement rates were alarmingly low. "It's unacceptable that dangerous individuals are slipping through the net," she stated.
The figures show:
- Only 54% of SPOs are being actively monitored
- Some forces have enforcement rates as low as 20%
- Many victims report no follow-up from officers
Call for Immediate Action
Cooper demanded urgent improvements to protect vulnerable victims, calling for better training, resources and accountability measures. "This isn't about paperwork - it's about preventing serious harm," she emphasised.
The Home Office responded by stating they expect all forces to properly implement SPOs, while police representatives acknowledged the need for improvement in this complex area of law enforcement.
