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<p>Stalking is a terrible, insidious crime that can have a devastating impact on victims’
wellbeing. This Government is committed to protecting and supporting victims and is
determined to do everything we can to stop perpetrators at the earliest opportunity.</p><p>The
Government has significantly strengthened the law to improve protection for victims
of stalking. In 2012 we created two stalking offences to highlight stalking as a specific
behaviour and through the Policing and Crime Act 2017 the maximum sentence for the
offence of stalking involving fear of violence or serious alarm or distress was raised
from five to ten years’ imprisonment.</p><p>In January 2020 we introduced new civil
Stalking Protection Orders. These enable early police intervention, pre-conviction,
to address stalking behaviours before they become deep-rooted or escalate. Stalking
Protection Orders can be used in relation to any type of stalking and have the flexibility
to impose both restrictions and positive requirements on the perpetrator. A breach
of this order has a criminal penalty, carrying a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment.</p>
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