Provision of information held by Northumbria Police made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the 'Act')
As you may be aware the purpose of the Act is to allow a general right of access to information held at the time of a request, by a Public Authority (including the Police), subject to certain limitations and exemptions.
You asked:
Regarding the recommendations made in the July 2017 ‘Living in fear – the police and CPS response to harassment and stalking’ report from HMICFRS and HMCPSI
1. Has your force accepted the recommendation to stop the use of Police Information Notices and their equivalents?
2. Has your force accepted the recommendation to ensure that officers are aware of, and use appropriately, the powers of entry and search for stalking?
a. If this recommendation has been accepted, what is the progress on compiling adequate records of these searches for audit and compliance purposes?
3. Has your force accepted the recommendation to work with criminal justice partners and help them identify what programmes are available to manage offenders convicted of harassment and stalking offences in their force areas?
a. What programmes are available in your force area?
4. What plans have chief constables and CPS Area leads made to monitor and ensure compliance with the national stalking protocol?
In Response:
We have now had the opportunity to fully consider your request and I provide a response for your attention.
To note – as per your acknowledgement - this request has been aggregated with your previous request on the subject matter, FOI 085/18 refers, due to time/cost restrictions.
Following receipt of your request, searches were conducted with the Safeguarding Department of Northumbria Police. I can confirm that the information you have requested is held by Northumbria Police.
I am able to disclose the located information to you as follows.
1. Yes
2. Yes.
2a. Systems are not currently available to capture data however this is being reviewed.
3. Yes we are currently liaising with partners (Probation / Health Services) to look at effective management process for perpetrators who are identified as significant risk. Currently reviewing risk assessment tools for perpetrators of stalking to identify risk levels.
3a. We utilise MAPPA/MATAC process, domestic abuse perpetrator programmes (voluntary and court sanctioned) there isn’t a specific stalking programme although referrals can be made to mental health services if deemed appropriate.
4. Training currently being delivered to ensure staff understand requirements and files will be monitored through a Dip sampling process.
