Gracie Spinks: coroner writes to home secretary with concerns over stalking cases

A coroner has written to the home secretary highlighting concerns of a "postcode lottery" of support for stalking victims, following the death of Gracie Spinks in Derbyshire.

In a prevention of future deaths report, Matthew Kewley KC said: "During the inquest, I head evidence about the benefits that stalking advocates can provide".

Independent stalking advocates offer help to victims of stalking, and help police deal with reported cases.

The report goes on to say: "Whilst I was reassured to hear that Derbyshire now benefits from stalking advocates, I heard evidence that many other areas around the UK do not have stalking advocates.

"This essentially creates a postcode lottery for victims who report stalking to the police. I am concerned about the lack of consistency and availability of stalking advocates to victims of stalking across the UK."

Derbyshire Police urged to make changes around stalking training

The coroner has also written to the chief constable of the Derbyshire Constabulary, asking the force to review current stalking guidance and training.

It includes recommendations to re-enforce the understanding of training an d guidance on stalking.

Derbyshire police have also been told to look at how officers carry out risk assessments and make notes, following Gracie's death.

The coroner also highlighted the handling of weapons found in the community in the weeks leading up to the murder of Gracie Spinks.

A backpack containing knives was discovered by a member of the public near to where Gracie was killed in 2021.

In the report, the coroner said: "Despite the rucksack containing weapons, it was treated by the attending police officers as if it were an item of found property.

"Derbyshire Constabulary accepted that there were serious failings in how the officers dealt with this incident."

Parents urge home secretary and police to listen to calls

In a statement released alongside the publication of the report, Gracie Spinks parents Richard Spinks and Alison Ward said: "Vulnerable victims of stalking need to feel safe in the knowledge that the police will listen, investigate and protect them.

"Victims need to be instilled with confidence to make the initial complaint.

"The Home Secretary must unequivocally communicate to the Chief Constable that standards of policing need to improve and receive assurance that not only will recommendations in the report be followed but there will be oversight on implementation across each area identified."

Deputy Chief Constable at Derbyshire Constabulary, Simon Blatchly, said the force will review the recommendations made by the coroner.

He said: "We have today received the Prevention of Future Deaths Report from the coroner following the inquest into the death of Gracie Spinks.

"As was said following the conclusion of the inquest, we fully accept there were significant failings throughout the two incidents relating to Gracie.

"We will now review the recommendations that have been made and reply within the relevant timeframe.

"We are absolutely committed to providing the best possible response for victims of stalking and harassment and, since Gracie's death in June 2021, significant work has already been completed to tackle the failures that were identified prior to the inquest.

"There has also, over the last two and a half-years, been significant changes to the ways in which we as a force receive and investigate stalking reports, as well as how we support and safeguard victims of these crimes.

"I also want to reiterate the force's sincere apologies to the family, friends and wider community."

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