The parents of a young woman who was tragically murdered by her former boyfriend have expressed their approval of the recent efforts to address shortcomings in how law enforcement handles stalking cases.
Clive and Sue Ruggles, the parents of Alice who was killed by Trimaan Dhillon following a period of stalking, have welcomed a new review led by a judge launched by the Home Office to assess the effectiveness of current laws.
Alice, aged 24, endured weeks of stalking by Dhillon after ending their relationship in 2016. She was fatally attacked in her home in Gateshead. The Home Office acknowledged that police forces had often failed to identify and properly handle such cases when reported.
Richard Wright KC, who was involved in prosecuting Alice’s killer, will lead the investigation. Clive and Sue stated, “Our aim has always been to prevent others from facing the same fate as Alice.
“Over the past nine years, we have seen significant advancements, especially with the introduction of Stalking Protection Orders. Nonetheless, the interpretation of stalking laws has consistently posed significant challenges.
“This recent development marks a significant progression, and we are delighted.” The Alice Ruggles Trust commented, “We are pleased with the selection of Richard Wright KC to head the review.
“We are confident that Richard possesses a deep understanding of the complexities of stalking, having successfully prosecuted Trimaan Dhillon for Alice’s murder.
“This review is a cause we have long advocated for, in collaboration with our partners in the National Stalking Consortium, and we are thrilled that it is finally happening.”
Alarming statistics from the Crime Survey of England and Wales reveal that over 1.4 million individuals aged 16 and above experienced stalking in the past year. Despite this, campaigners argue that significant loopholes in the law need to be addressed.
The review will assess the interaction between stalking and harassment laws and determine if a more coherent and integrated system is necessary.
Last year, the government introduced six new measures to combat stalking, including new guidance allowing the police to disclose stalkers’ identities promptly through a ‘Right to Know’ provision.
Additional measures involve enhancing victim protection from offenders by extending the availability of Stalking Protection Orders and providing a clear definition of stalking in statutory guidance.
Mr. Wright emphasized, “It is crucial that the criminal law offers adequate protection to victims of this serious offense to ensure victims have faith in the criminal justice system and feel empowered to report dangerous stalking behavior.”