Gateshead review

Home Office to consider the introduction of a national stalking definition to ensure consistent understanding and practice;

Ministry of Defence and Home Office to agree a national policy to formalise future interactions between Home Office and Military Police in relation to domestic abuse;

Ministry of Defence to implement routine, meaningful and accessible recording of all domestic abuse allegations that are made against service personnel;

Home Office to consider the creation of a specific criminal offence in relation to threat of posting intimate images without consent;

Home Office to review the effectiveness of 101 single non-emergency contact number and implement measures to reduce call waiting times and abandoned calls;

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to carry out future inspection activity to review the effectiveness of the practices adopted in relation to stalking following the cessation of Police Information Notices;

Ministry of Defence to review its Domestic Abuse Policy with specific reference to domestic abuse in a non-service relationship context;

Home Office to consider the legal and social impact of the non-regulation of spyware in respect of domestic abuse and stalking victims;

Home Office to work with telecommunication providers and national stalking abuse experts to review measures and advice to reduce harm from digitally-assisted stalking;

Gateshead Community Safety Board to implement a local stalking awareness campaign with a focus on raising victim and bystander awareness and reporting (including development of a safety advice leaflet specific to intimate partner stalking).

Gateshead Community Safety Board to seek assurances that training is in place for partners to develop local awareness and understanding in respect of: (a) stalking (including digitally-assisted stalking) (b) improve practice and professional curiosity around assessing risk in domestic abuse situations (c) effective completion of the DASH Risk Indicator Checklist

Gateshead Community Safety Board to lobby Government for the introduction of stronger protection for victims of stalking – as outlined within the Stalking Protection Bill;

Gateshead Community Safety Board to receive audit and assurance that the introduction of measures by Northumbria Police in relation to stalking is improving the response to victims;

Northumbria Police to ensure Police National Computer (PNC) checks are carried out routinely in respect of all future domestic abuse cases – and provide assurance to Gateshead Community Safety Board;

Gateshead Community Safety Board to seek assurance all relevant local agencies and partners understand the risk of perpetrators accessing electronic devices in respect of domestic abuse.

Office of the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner to further publicise the local Domestic Abuse Workplace Champions initiative to maximise membership – and to refresh the training provided to encompass greater focus on stalking and learning from this review.

Gateshead Community Safety Board to seek assurance from Northumbria Police that whilst having victim-focused approach officers make decisions based on threat, risk and harm and progress all appropriate investigative opportunities.

Home Office to consider initiating a review into the effectiveness of the DASH Risk Indicator Checklists in relation to stalking.

Ministry of Defence to identify Domestic Abuse Champions, at a senior leadership level, to proactively drive improvements and increase accountability and transparency in relation to domestic abuse.

Gateshead Community Safety Board to develop and promote a single point of contact for practitioners to be able to seek specialist advice / guidance in relation to stalking.