Police launch anti-stalking unit in Warrington

A SPECIALIST unit aimed at protecting victims of stalking and managing culprits has launched in Warrington
Only the third in the country – and the first of its kind in the North West – the Integrated Anti-Stalking Unit (IASU) is being run by Cheshire Police in partnership with North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.
All agencies are working together to help stalking victims and the risk caused by perpetrators through a range of interventions.
The unit will operate from a base in Warrington and will initially focus on those affected by stalking in the Warrington and Halton areas.
It will involve an experienced and dedicated team of police officers and mental health professionals and outreach workers along with victim advocates who provide practical support, safety planning and advice for stalking victims regardless of whether the stalker’s identity is known.
Detective Constable David Thomason, in charge of the IASU, said: “We are proud to be leading the way and working as part of the new unit – this is a first for the region and one of only three in the country.
“All agencies are working together to help provide better outcomes for stalking victims by improving the ways in which incidents are responded to and tackling the behaviour of perpetrators head on.
“The team of specialists will assess each stalking allegation on a case-by-case basis before deciding on a suitable method of intervention.
“The team will be able to discuss the best course of action and provide expert advice on whether psychological interventions, social support or legal sanctions are needed.
“The unit will offer victims one-to-one support while working closely with the perpetrator to ultimately manage the risk of further harm to the victim and the wider community.”
In addition, the unit will identify a critical few who could be suitable for therapeutic interventions, if clinically indicated or be referred to mental health, alcohol and drug support services.
The team will also decide whether the case should be automatically put into the criminal justice system. The unit will include a detective donstable, donsultant forensic psychologist, unit manager, two outreach workers, an independent stalking advocacy caseworker and a support officer (administrator).
It is being funded over two years through the Police Transformation Fund.
Detective Chief Superintendent Nigel Wenham, who is in charge of Cheshire Police’s Public Protection Directorate, said: “Stalking can have a devastating impact on a victim both physically and mentally and can often result in fear, intimidation, violence or, in the worst cases, death. Stalking can quite simply turn their lives upside down and has been described by some as though being murdered in slow motion, mentally sexually assaulted or psychologically tormented.”