Using Stalking Protection Orders (SPO) to better protect victims in Warwickshire

You may have heard the Government’s announcement today about increasing use of Stalking Protection Orders (SPO).

Introduced under the Stalking Protection Act 2019, SPOs are designed to help us protect victims of stalking.

Here we explain how we’re using them in Warwickshire.

An SPO works as an early intervention to help manage someone suspected of stalking so that their behaviour doesn’t escalate.

We know that victims can experience multiple incidents of stalking before they report it. By taking action early, we want to prevent further harm and ultimately save lives.

It enables us to put prohibitions, restrictions, and requirements in place to try and stop the behaviour.  It’s not an alternative to prosecution, but we can apply to a magistrates’ court for it where we believe an individual has carried out acts associated with stalking, or where they pose a risk of stalking or where the order will protect the other person from the threat of stalking.

We have 11 live SPOs in force, including a successful outcome at Coventry Magistrates’ Court recently where we secured an SPO against a prolific domestic abuse perpetrator.

The court granted a full order, which lasts for ten years. There was also a variety of robust prohibitions and positive requirements put in place to protect the victim from further harm.

If someone's repeatedly behaving in a way towards you that's making you feel scared, distressed or threatened, you may be a victim of stalking or harassment.

Please report it to us and we’ll do everything we can to protect and support you.

Visit our Stalking and harassment website for more information and guidance.