GPS Tagging Pilot for Released Stalking Offenders Launched in London

A pilot program initiated by London Mayor Sadiq Khan will see over 200 individuals convicted of stalking offenses, upon their release from correctional facilities, fitted with GPS tracking devices by March 2026. According to City Hall, individuals who have completed prison sentences for stalking will be equipped with a tracking device, subject to stringent license conditions, with the stated aim to “protect victims and help prevent reoffending.” Mayor Khan affirmed that this pilot initiative is expected to be instrumental in deterring repeat offenses and ensuring the safety of victims. Claire Waxman, London’s victims’ commissioner, characterized the pilot as “a significant step in the right direction.” City Hall stated that this pilot program is integrated into the mayor’s broader £233m financial commitment aimed at combating violence against women and girls. Its development involved extensive consultation with victim and survivor organizations throughout the capital. Additionally, the mayor is allocating an initial sum of £50,000 to facilitate the management of stalking cases and enhance information exchange among partners participating in the pilot. These partners include the Metropolitan Police, the London probation service, the NHS, and the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. This initiative follows two prior tagging program pilots introduced by the mayor, which focused on offenders involved in knife crime and domestic abuse. This development occurs subsequent to the government’s announcement that stalking victims would be granted the right to be informed of their abusers’ identities, and that more stringent sentences for domestic homicide offenders would be implemented following an independent sentencing review. Mr Khan commented: “The £5.7m GPS tagging programme has been working to ensure perpetrators of violence change their behaviour, not victims and survivors. “I will continue to do everything within my power to ensure that ending violence against women and girls is treated with the utmost urgency – both by our police and society as a whole as we continue to build a safer London for everyone.” In her welcome of the mayor’s new pilot, Ms Waxman stated: “This will allow probation services and the police to effectively monitor stalkers and provide an extra layer of security to victims.” She further emphasized that it was “incredibly important that stalking victims get the support and protection they require.” The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, a charity dedicated to personal safety, also expressed approval for the pilot, but highlighted the importance of prosecuting individuals who violate their license conditions. Saskia Garner, head of policy, stated: “We are keen to monitor the success of this scheme – how many tags are implemented, how many times they are breached and what the consequences of those breaches are. I think that’s the reassurance the victims need that this is going to work.” James Timpson, the minister for prisons, probation, and reducing reoffending, commented that enhancing street safety was “central” to the government’s reform agenda, and that the tracking devices would contribute to victims feeling “safer going about their lives.” For those impacted by the issues discussed in this report, resources are available via the BBC Action Line. The best of BBC Radio London can be accessed on Sounds, and BBC London can be followed on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas may be submitted to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.