Officers trained in tackling stalking pilot

Joy Allen said she wants victims to be kept safe

Police officers are being trained to become stalking specialists to step up the response to violence against women and girls.

County Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Joy Allen has funded the training of 20 police officers to become so-called Stalking Champions so that the crime is "treated with the seriousness it deserves".

The PCC is piloting the model on behalf of Paladin, the National Stalking Advocacy Service, which hopes to set up a network of officers across the country.

Ms Allen said she wanted to ensure victims received the "highest quality response to keep them safe from day one".

In 2022-23, 1,669 stalking offences were reported to Durham Constabulary, according to the PCC.

Paladin has previously highlighted ongoing national issues around mischarging in stalking cases, failures to arrest or investigate and forces not utilising the available powers and legislation to protect victims of stalking.

Ms Allen said: "The work we have done to tackle stalking in Durham has received national recognition. Our student officers now receive training on how to investigate stalking and assess risk.

"We also have new reporting systems in place to identify repeat suspects of stalking offences to increase opportunities to secure Stalking Protection Orders

"This training pilot takes this work one step further."