Crime: Stalking

Lord Foulkes of Cumnock Excerpts

Tuesday 12th March 2013 Lords Chamber

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

I do not want to move on to the question of sentencing policy, but I want to emphasise that the Government take the offence of stalking seriously; so does my noble friend, who I know is a member of the Justice Unions’ Parliamentary Group, which published a very helpful report on the subject. I note what she said, but I ask her to remember that the Home Office is in continual dialogue with the Crown Prosecution Service on the way these new offences are being implemented.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock]

My Lords, the Minister said that a lot of talking was taking place but he did not indicate what action was taking place. Did he answer the question of how many prosecutions there have been to date under this new law regarding stalking offences? If he did not, why not?

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

Those data are not available.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock]

Why not?

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

I am sorry, but they are not collected and compiled until some time after the incidents have occurred. As I have said, the data will be available in May 2012—