Speaking in response to the report from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and the Crown Prosecution Inspectorate on the failures in dealing with victims of stalking, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, Diane Abbott, said:

“This report is deeply troubling. It highlights a series of failings to tackle stalking, which can have serious or even fatal consequences.

“Government has cut the police by over 20,000. It tries to hide behind the claim that crime is falling. But many serious crimes are rising, including crimes of violence.

“Cuts have consequences. Police forces are over-stretched and this leads to pressure to downgrade crimes, or not fully investigate them, as the report highlights. The government should stop cutting core police budgets and give forces the resources they need. Labour has pledged to restore 10,000 police officers when in government.”

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