Hugh Grant praises work of anti-stalking charity

Clare was murdered by her stalker at Harvey Nichols department store in London in September 2005

Hollywood actor Hugh Grant has attended a conference in Kent marking the 20th anniversary of a woman's death at the hands of her stalker.

Clare Bernal, 22, was murdered by her former boyfriend Michael Pech on 13 September 2005 on the shop floor of Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge, where she worked as a beauty consultant.

After shooting her, Pech, 30, a security guard at the same store, then turned the gun on himself.

Mr Grant, a patron of Protection Against Stalking (PAS), the charity organisation subsequently co-founded by Ms Bernal's mother Tricia, said the work it does is "incredible".

Established to raise awareness of stalking and support its victims, the PAS conference took place in Tunbridge Wells on Thursday and examined the progress achieved so far and what still needs to be done.

"The two decades since Clare's death have seen important changes, but stalking remains a pervasive and devastating crime," said Mr Grant, who was there alongside leading members of the criminal justice sector, health, academia and other support organisations.

"Today is an opportunity to ensure victims' voices are heard and to push for further reforms that can save lives."

He called being patron "an honour" and explained he first met Tricia via Hacked Off, a 2011 campaign advocating for greater press accountability.

Hugh Grant with Tricia Bernal at the Protection Against Stalking charity conference

Grant, who once claimed journalists hired private investigators to tap his phone and burgle his house, said she had also "suffered terrible media intrusion and harassment" following her daughter's murder.

"I'm thrilled to get involved with PAS and the incredible work it does - there should be more like it around the country," he added.

"This is a bittersweet time for me," said Tricia, of Groombridge on the Kent/East Sussex border.

"I would give everything to have Clare back and this time of year is always full of such sadness, but I am incredibly proud of what PAS has achieved.

"I pay tribute to my fellow campaigners, volunteers and stalking advocates who have worked so hard and for so long to make safer the lives of stalking and domestic abuse victims.

"I will carry on until stalking is fully recognised and all victims receive the protection and justice they so deserve," she added.