In brief: Stalking Bill gets Government backing

MPs have called for a smooth and swift passage through parliament for the proposed private members Bill on stalking. At a conference on 18 October organised by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, Home Office Minister David Maclean MP announced the measures to be included in the Government-backed bill. He said a twin-track approach combining criminal sanctions with a civil remedy would remain at the heart of the proposals. On the criminal side, a high-level offence for the most serious cases and a lower level offence for non-violent threats would be introduced.