Richard Wright KC to assess if current stalking laws and technology safeguards are fit for purpose
The government has ordered an independent review of the laws governing stalking and harassment to determine whether the current legal framework provides adequate protection for victims and ensures offenders are properly punished.
The review, announced on Monday, will be led by leading criminal barrister Richard Wright KC and is expected to conclude by March 2026. It will examine how stalking and harassment laws interact, assess whether the statutory definition of stalking is sufficient, and consider the impact of emerging technologies that increasingly facilitate stalking behaviour.
The Ministry of Justice said the review will explore whether new legislation or amendments are required to help police investigate stalking cases more effectively and to strengthen victims’ confidence in the criminal justice system.
It follows a 2022 “super-complaint” submitted by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust on behalf of the National Stalking Consortium, which alleged that police forces across England and Wales were routinely failing to recognise and properly handle stalking cases. The complaint cited widespread inconsistency in how officers identified stalking behaviour and significant shortcomings in investigations and victim support.
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That super-complaint led to a joint investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, and the College of Policing. Their findings, published last year, supported the concerns raised and included a recommendation for the Home Office to consider legislative reform.
Announcing the review, the government said it wanted to ensure that laws reflect the realities of modern stalking, including behaviour carried out through digital and online means. It will also look at whether law enforcement agencies have sufficient powers to respond to these developments and at the effectiveness of existing protection orders and sentencing provisions.
Richard Wright KC said his review would focus on closing any gaps in the law that prevent victims from receiving protection at the earliest opportunity. “The stalking super-complaint has shone a light on the experience of victims of stalking within the criminal justice system,” he said. “My review will be conducted rapidly to identify any gaps in existing legislation and make any necessary recommendations for change.
“It is essential that the criminal law provides the necessary level of protection to victims of this serious offence and that, as a result, victims have confidence in the criminal justice system and feel able to report dangerous stalking behaviour.”
The review will also consider how effectively existing laws are being implemented by police and prosecutors, and whether training, data collection and victim support structures are adequate.
Jess Phillips, minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, said the review was “vital” to ensure that the law keeps pace with new threats. “We must make sure our laws are strong and bold enough to protect victims and track down perpetrators,” she said. “Too often, victims of stalking are let down by systems that fail to recognise the seriousness of their experiences. This review is an important step towards change.”
Campaigners welcomed the review but urged ministers to act swiftly on its findings. The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, which has campaigned for better protection for victims for decades, said that while the announcement was encouraging, past reforms had failed to deliver consistent results on the ground.
Since stalking became a distinct criminal offence under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, prosecutions have risen, but conviction rates remain low. Charities say that many victims continue to feel unsafe even after reporting harassment and that technology has made it easier for offenders to monitor, contact and intimidate targets.
The review’s findings are expected to inform future legislative proposals and updates to police and prosecutorial guidance. Ministers have said they want to ensure the criminal justice system provides “effective, early and lasting protection” for those targeted by stalking.