What is a Stalking Protection Order?

In England and Wales, the Office of National Statistics estimated there were 1.5 million victims of stalking (2024) ‘I feel like I am living someone else’s life’: one in seven people a victim of stalking - Office for National Statistics (opens in new tab)

Stalking Protection Orders (SPO) are intended to protect any person experiencing stalking but they are not an alternative to prosecution. They allow:

• early police intervention

• pre-conviction

• to address stalking behaviours before they become entrenched or escalate in severity, and

• to protect victims from more serious harm

These orders are an effective means of managing an alleged suspect through the use of prohibitions and/or positive requirements as well as imposing notification requirements on the suspect.

Who can apply for an SPO?

An SPO application can only be made by the police. The police should consider applying for an order where it appears that:

• the suspect has carried out acts associated with stalking

• the suspect poses a risk of stalking someone

• there is reasonable cause to believe the proposed order

This is why Victims of Stalking should collect evidence and keep all records for police. Find our tips for victims and evidence gathering here.

What if the order is breached?

A person who breaches and SPO or an interim SPO without reasonable excuse commits a criminal offence.

The police will investigate a breach of the order as the victim may not be aware of the full extent of the breach and/or the stalking.