Government launches review of stalking laws to strengthen protections
Britain will examine whether stalking laws adequately shield victims and hold offenders accountable through a review led by criminal barrister Richard Wright. The government announced the inquiry will assess how stalking and harassment statutes function together and whether definitions of stalking behavior need strengthening. Wright will investigate whether legal changes could help police manage cases more effectively and whether current rules address technology-enabled stalking. The review stems from a 2022 complaint by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, which found that police frequently miss signs of stalking and bungle investigations.
Findings are expected by March 2026. The complaint triggered an examination by three oversight agencies whose report recommended legal reforms. Wright said his work will quickly identify legislative gaps and propose solutions to restore victim confidence in reporting dangerous conduct. Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips called the review essential to guarantee laws remain robust enough to protect targets and pursue perpetrators.
