The Stalking Threat Assessment Centre (S-TAC), is a multiagency service that aims to deal effectively with stalking offences and, thereby, providing a good response and outcome for victims. It has a combination of agencies including the Metropolitan Police, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust, the National Probation Service (London), the Suzy Lamplugh Trust advocacy service and consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). It was started as one of three hubs of the Multi-Agency Stalking Intervention Programme (MASIP), which was funded by the Home Office for two years, commissioned by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and programme managed by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. The service continues to be funded by MOPAC and project managed by the Trust. April 2023 marks S-TACs fifth year of operation and the year that the unit becomes a business-as-usual operation.

  
The unique nature of the service provides opportunities to intervene in stalking offending in a range of different ways and at different stages of the criminal justice process. This increases the potential for “making a difference” particularly in terms of protecting victims. All cases reported as stalking are reviewed by the Metropolitan police staff with information provided to every case officer, ensuring that guidance and best practice are included at the very beginning of the investigation. Links with probation and mental health providers means that if individuals are involved with these services already then those providing supervision, management, and support, can be informed in a timely manner, thus assisting in effective risk management. Having advocacy integrated into the service ensures that victims are at the centre of the unit’s approach in general and individuals can be provided with direct support where needed.

  
The pathway of the unit continues post-conviction, providing probation consultations for complex cases, diverting and co-working mental health cases, as well as direct psychologically informed interventions for a few cases. The success of the unit is founded on good integrated working relationships between the agencies, a commitment to working with stalking, and desire to be innovative and make a difference. Initial data results indicate that S-TAC has had an influence in a large number of cases within the London metropolitan area. Feedback from referrers and victims has been positive stating that the service provides a centre of excellence and understands stalking behaviour. Individuals engaged in stalking behaviour have also reported that they have been able to get the help they need to change their behaviour.