Oldham’s Liberal Democrats believe that proposed legislation currently going through Parliament would be much more effective if it included a commitment to establish an offenders’ register for those convicted of stalking or domestic violence. 

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Councillor Chris Gloster, a former police officer with 30 years’ experience, will be proposing a motion to the next meeting of Oldham Council (16 December) calling on the government to create this register as part of the Domestic Abuse Bill when it becomes law.

Councillor Chris Gloster explained why he is bringing this motion to Council:

“The Covid-19 lockdown has sadly led to a significant increase in reports of domestic violence as partners have been obliged to spend more time at home and underlying tensions in relationships lead to breakdown.  Most shockingly this has been reflected in a fifty percent homicide increase with three women being killed by their partner every week.”

“Stalking, coercive behaviour and domestic violence are often committed by the same offenders, with perpetrators often having a history of such behaviour towards multiple partners.  If there was a single national register, like there is for sexual offenders, it would be easier for police forces to track and manage offenders as they move from place to place, and before they find new victims.   More importantly it would most likely save lives.  Yet maddingly there is currently no such register, nor is there currently any legal duty placed upon police forces to do this.”

Councillor Diane Williamson, who is seconding the motion, said: 

“The Domestic Abuse Bill is a welcome step forward in protecting victims, but the government is currently only committed to some vague promises to better share information about offenders, and remains wedded to Clare’s Law, where anyone who fears they may be in a relationship with a person with a history of offending can contact police to find out if they are.  These are serious deficiencies in the bill. 

“Creating a national register and requiring police services to proactively notify persons in relationships of the offending behaviour of their partner would be much more effective.  I hope that our motion, if carried, will help change the Government’s mind on this life-or-death issue”.

The National Stalking Advocacy Service, Paladin, established by survivors of domestic violence and stalking to support other victims and to campaign for changes in the law, has been working with Liberal Democrat Councillors in Oldham to bring this motion to Council. 

Zoe Dronfield who was a victim of stalking and domestic violence, and is now a campaigner and Trustee of Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service (NSAS), said:  

“I know first-hand the disastrous impact of Police not having a statutory obligation to register, track and monitor offenders of this nature.  In 2014 I was almost murdered by a known serial offender, his crimes undetected due to not joining the dots.  My case is not unique.”

“Now as a campaigner I hear this time and again that a known perpetrator is giving leniency because their background offending has not been checked, meaning his recent offending is dealt with less severity.  We must start looking at the pattern of these crimes and the escalation that happens when they go undetected.” 

“A register like the sex offender register, which the framework currently exists, would allow the police to be proactive in their policing.  I’m sure they would welcome being able to finally deal with these offenders with the level of severity needed to reduce these crimes in long run.”

Council December 16, 2020 – Notice of Opposition Business

Tracking Stalkers and Domestic Abusers

Council notes that:

• Stalking and domestic abuse are crimes which are insidious and terrifying, the majority committed by men against women.  Offenders go from victim to victim, yet many remain undetected and un-convicted.

• The evidence shows that domestic abuse has become more prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.  Some stalkers and domestic abusers go on to commit murder, and tragically the domestic homicide rate, mostly of women, continues to increase.

• Despite clear warning signs that such crimes are often repeated and follow a pattern, much offending behaviour remains undetected by the Police, probation and other agencies, and offenders are left at large.

• Although the provisions of the Domestic Abuse Bill now before Parliament are welcome, the Bill is manifestly deficient in not addressing the importance of robustly tracking and apprehending these offenders.

Council further notes that:

• Whilst the Domestic Abuse Bill would place Clare’s Law (the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme) on a statutory footing, this will place the onus upon victims to come forward to seek information about their partner or a family member and this can sometimes place the victim in danger.

• There is no duty on police services to identify, track and manage stalkers and domestic abusers.

Council believes that:

• It is imperative that serial stalkers and domestic abusers are prioritised and proactively identified, assessed and managed by Police, probation and other relevant agencies, so that intelligence can be shared about their offending behaviour to hold them to account and close down their behaviour.

• The details of stalkers and domestic abusers should be included on the Violent and Sexual Offender’s Register and managed via the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements.

Council resolves to ask the Chief Executive to write to the Home Secretary asking her to make these changes to more effectively track and apprehend stalkers and domestic abusers, and to copy in our three local Members of Parliament and the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester asking them to make representations to the Home Secretary in support of the Council’s position.

Proposed by:                                                     Seconded by:

Councillor Chris Gloster                                 Councillor Diane Williamson

The Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service

Paladin was launched in 2013 by Founder Laura Richards and others changed the law to create a specific criminal offence of stalking.  Paladin amplifies the voice of the victim within the criminal and civil justice system, as many victims feel isolated and terrified. Some pay with their lives. Paladin provides a high level of advocacy to anyone at risk of serious harm or homicide from a stalker.

We give initial advice and offer to complete a detailed assessment to anyone who calls our service and is affected by stalking. Sometimes we call this ‘high risk’ and it is based on what we learn from the detailed assessment.  However, in all situations we aim to improve access to the right kind of support for each person and improve co-ordinated working between specialist services to keep each survivor feeling safer.

Our Board is made up of experienced and award-winning professionals including our Chair Rachel Horman, who is a solicitor; Allan Aubeelack former police officer, Zoe Dronfield, Zoe Jones and Tom Cottew. Our patron is philanthropist and prison reformer, Lady Edwina Grosvenor.

Paladin operates a telephone helpline 020 3866 4107 open weekdays 9 am to 3 pm (except Wednesdays when it operates until 5pm).  Enquirers unable to call within these hours can email info@paladinservice.co.uk to arrange a call at a convenient time.

Paladin’s website can be found at https://paladinservice.co.uk/