Hampshire & Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones sets the benchmark for best practice in stalking super complaint report

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has welcomed the recently published super-complaint report from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.  Whilst the report identifies gaps in the police response to stalking and calls for urgent reforms in how stalking is managed by police forces across the UK,  the Hampshire & Isle of Wight region is highlighted for setting the benchmark for best practice.

The initiatives funded by the PCC Donna Jones are recognised for innovative leadership and good practice, an achievement that demonstrates the success of the Commissioner’s strategic investment in vital victim and perpetrator services that reduce the emotional and psychological harm caused by this deeply distressing crime.

The Commissioner successfully secured £1.01 million from the Home Office to fund the creation of a Multi-Agency Stalking Partnership (MASP). This project sees the collaboration of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, South Central Probation, Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, the CPS, Youth Justice and the Stop Domestic Abuse victim support service. Southern Health delivers psychologist-led interventions that focus on managing the behaviour of stalkers while prioritising the safety and well-being of survivors. This collaborative project represents a critical step forward in Donna Jones’ mission to address the causes and consequences of stalking, fostering a safer environment for victims across the region. With the additional £160,000 funding from her office, this initiative is poised to break new ground in reducing the risks posed by stalkers.

In addition, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has been highlighted in the report as one of the forces aiming to provide good victim care, with notable examples of a structured Victim Needs Assessment (VNA) process. The constabulary introduced the VNA as part of its crime recording system, allowing officers to better comply with the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime by ensuring all the necessary steps for victim support are embedded within the system. This ensures that officers do not overlook crucial details when handling stalking cases, and supervisors can more easily ensure compliance with best practices. The integration of this structured process has made the force’s response to victims of stalking more reliable and comprehensive.

Focusing on delivering the best possible service to victims, PCC Donna Jones has made strides in co-locating specialist stalking advocates with police officers in dedicated victim care hubs. The Stalking Advocacy and Support Service is provided by Stop Domestic Abuse. Independent stalking advocates guide victims through the complexities of the criminal justice system and ensure their voices are heard. In doing so, the service plays a vital role in mitigating the trauma that often accompanies stalking cases. This setup has strengthened collaboration between frontline responders and support services, enhancing the force’s ability to respond swiftly and sensitively to stalking reports. Four victim care hubs are now operational in police investigation centres across the region.

The recent super-complaint investigation carried out jointly by the College of Policing, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and the Independent Office for Police Conduct recognised these efforts, citing Hampshire & Isle of Wight as a model of effective multi-agency working and innovative use of digital tools to safeguard victims of stalking. These examples of promising practice have been praised for improving the police response to this often misunderstood and highly complex crime.

Reflecting on the report’s findings, PCC Donna Jones expressed gratitude to the Suzy Lamplugh Trust for raising these important issues and acknowledged that more must be done nationally to improve the police response to stalking. “While I am immensely proud of the strides made by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, this report reminds us that stalking victims across the UK are still facing challenges. We must ensure that stalking is consistently recognised, investigated properly, and that victims feel supported throughout their journey to justice,” she stated.

With recommendations from the report calling for improvements in national laws, police training, and the use of stalking protection orders, Donna Jones remains committed to further enhancing the resources available, concluding: “We are leading the way, but there is always more to do,” she added. “We will continue to prioritise victim safety, fund innovative services, and work closely with partners to ensure that we address the root causes of this deeply troubling crime.”

The Constabulary’s tactical stalking lead, Detective Chief Inspector Abbie Leeson, said: “Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary is working tirelessly to ensure that victims of stalking receive a high quality policing service. Stalking is a serious crime and we are committed to tackling perpetrators and supporting victims effectively with our partners to keep our communities safe.”