Action to protect people from stalking

One in five women and one in ten men have experienced stalking at some point since the age of 16.

Stalking Prevention Orders (SPOs), a new measure introduced by the Stalking Protection Act 2019, is being introduced by Lincolnshire Police.

SPOs offer an effective means of managing a suspect through use of prohibitions and requirements. They will allow an opportunity for early intervention in a stalking case before the criminal threshold is met and can also be used at any point during the course of an investigation up to the point of conviction.

Officers will consider applying for an SPO at the start of each stalking investigation, be it a case against a former partner, family member or stranger.

A person who breaches an SPO without reasonable excuse commits a criminal offence and we are committed to take proactive and urgent action where this is the case. Upon conviction, a breach of the order will mean a prison sentence of up to a year, or a fine, or both.

There are 'FOUR' signs of stalking. The behaviour of a stalker is Fixated, Obsessive, Unwanted, Repeated.

Anyone with concerns for themselves or someone they know, should call Lincolnshire Police on 101 or 999 if it's an emergency.