Statutory guidance

Stalking Protection Act: statutory guidance for the police

What police need to do under the Stalking Protection Act, which introduced stalking protection orders.

• From: Home Office
• Published: 20 January 2020
• Last updated: 10 May 2024
  Show all updates

  1. 10 May 2024

     Welsh version of the guidance added.

  2. 22 April 2024

     Updated section 2: the courts will now apply the civil standard of proof to the fact-finding elements of a full Stalking Protection Order application, rather than the criminal standard of proof.

  3. 18 January 2021

     Updated Welsh guidance adding clarification to pages 10, 15 and 19.

  4. 11 January 2021

     Added clarification to English guidance on pages 10, 15 and 19.

  5. 1 April 2020

     Added Welsh version of Stalking Protection Orders statutory guidance.

  6. 20 January 2020

     First published.

Applies to England and Wales

Documents

Stalking Protection Orders: statutory guidance for the police (accessible)

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Stalking Protection Orders: statutory guidance for the police

PDF, 607 KB, 52 pages

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Stalking Protection Orders: statutory guidance for the police (Welsh accessible)

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Stalking Protection Orders: statutory guidance for the police (Welsh)

PDF, 702 KB, 52 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email alternativeformats@homeoffice.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

Statutory guidance on how to approach applying for a stalking protection order.

The information may also help those working for:

• other criminal justice agencies
• statutory bodies
• non-governmental or voluntary organisations which are associated with victims or people affected by stalking

Find out how to report a stalker.