We're consulting on updated guidance for stalking or harassment
Stalking or harassment – have your say
Published on
Consultation
3 mins read
We want to hear from you on new authorised professional practice (APP) for stalking or harassment.
The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimate that around 1.4 million people experience stalking each year. Research indicates that stalking precedes the majority of domestic homicides.
Improving the police response to stalking is central to the government's mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.
What the new APP does
The new APP replaces three separate advice documents with formal, role-specific guidance that sets out clear requirements for every role in policing.
It establishes a victim-centred, suspect-focused and context-led approach to stalking and harassment. It includes evidence-based standards covering:
- identifying stalking
- risk identification and assessment
- effective investigations
- victim support and safeguarding
- suspect management and disruption
- the legislative framework for stalking and harassment offences
- cyberstalking and the collection of digital evidence
- multi-agency working with health, probation and specialist stalking services
Why this matters
The new APP reflects learning from the joint investigation into the super-complaint submitted by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust in December 2022, on behalf of the National Stalking Consortium. This investigation was carried out by:
- His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS)
- Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC)
- College of Policing
The investigation report was published in September 2024 and made 29 recommendations to policing and government. It concluded that forces need clearer, more comprehensive guidance to deliver consistent, effective and ethical responses to stalking.
Following publication of the report, forces in England and Wales published a local action plan. The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) published a progress report in August 2025.
This APP builds on that progress, providing the clear national standards that forces need to continue improving their response.
The guidance has been developed with practitioners and experts including the:
- NPCC National Stalking and Harassment Offences Working Group
- National Stalking Consortium
A changing legislative landscape
The Crime and Policing Act 2026 reforms stalking protection orders (SPOs) and introduces a statutory right for victims to learn the identity of their online stalker.
An independent review of stalking law, led by Richard Wright KC, has submitted its findings to the Home Office. The government is expected to outline potential legislative reforms in due course.
We will monitor these developments and update the APP as necessary as any changes come into force.
Have your say
We want to hear from the public, practitioners, partner agencies and specialist organisations.
This consultation is an opportunity to shape guidance that will influence how policing across England and Wales identifies, investigates and responds to stalking and harassment, helping to secure the best possible outcomes for victims and bring offenders to justice.
We are not gathering information about stalking protections order (SPO) forms. These operational forms fall outside the remit of this consultation.
Our consultation closes on Monday 7 September at 11:59pm.
To have your say, read the consultation document and complete the online questionnaire.
