Issue - meetings

            The Board considered an update report from Cheshire Police Integrated Anti-Stalking Unit regarding the work carried out in Halton. The specialist Unit aimed at protecting victims of stalking and managing perpetrators had recently been launched in Cheshire until 2020. Only the second in the country and the first of its kind in the North West the Integrated Anti-Stalking Unit was being run by Cheshire Police in partnership with North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. All agencies were working together to help stalking victims and the risk caused to them by perpetrators through a range of interventions.

            The team would be able to discuss the best course of action and provide expert advice on whether psychological interventions, social support or legal sanctions were needed. The unit would offer victims one-to-one support whilst working closely with the perpetrator to ultimately manage the risk of further harm to the victim and the wider community.

            In addition, the unit would identify perpetrators who could be suitable for therapeutic interventions, if clinically indicated or be referred to mental health, alcohol and drug support services. The team would also decide whether the case should be automatically put into the criminal justice system.

            Two representatives from the Unit were in attendance and discussed with Members:

·         training offered by the Unit to agencies to identify perpetrators early and to put interventions in place;

·         the types and number of referrals received to date by the Unit. Since 1^st September the Unit had received 50 referrals across Halton and Warringon;

·         the support the Unit provided to the Crown Prosecution Service; and

·         the future evaluation of the work of the Unit by the Gill Dando Institute for Crime.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.