CPS North East supports National Stalking Awareness Week

As part of National Stalking Awareness Week (Apr 20-24), the North East’s Chief Crown Prosecutor today spoke of the continuing commitment of the Crown Prosecution Service towards the prosecution of stalking and harassment offences.

The theme for this year’s National Stalking Awareness week is ‘See Stalking Clearly,’ which aims to highlight how victims of stalking remain supported  throughout the national response to COVID-19.

Jan Lamping, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North East said: “It would be all too easy for people to assume that those committing stalking offences would be unable to do so under the national COVID-19 lockdown. We want to be clear that, while the behaviours of stalking offenders may change as a result of these measures, the risk to their victims will not necessarily decrease.

“The fixations held by those involved in stalking and harassment won’t simply stop as a result of lockdown. It is more likely that their behaviour may move online, or that they will engineer other excuses to stalk and harass their victims.

“It is vital that stalking and harassment remains a priority for all of us in the Criminal Justice System at this time. Stalking is a serious offence, one which has significant impact on victims.

“The Crown Prosecution Service is committed to the prosecution of stalking and harassment offences and we will work closely with our partners to ensure that victims are supported and protected wherever possible.”