STALKING protection orders are to be introduced as part of a package of measures to tackle the crime, Equalities Minister Jess Phillips announced today.

Judges will be able to issue the orders on conviction, something that is not currently possible. 

They will stop imprisoned stalkers continuing to harass their victims.

Other measures include introducing a “right to know” so that victims learn the identity of stalkers as well as a review of all legislation on the subject.

Stalking will be defined in statutory guidance and national standards for stalking perpetrator programmes will be published.

The changes come following a warning earlier this year from a group of watchdogs who said police are failing to protect stalking victims in too many cases.

Around one in seven people aged 16 and over in England and Wales have been a victim of stalking at least once, figures suggest.

Ms Phillips said she had come across “quite a lot of cases” where ex-partners in prison for crimes against their wives or girlfriends were able to stalk them from inside.

A stalking victim herself, Ms Phillips added: “I think that for most victims you try and diminish it at first, until the point at which it ramps up and it begins to control you.

“And I’m a person with quite a lot of power. So these crimes are usually about power and control.”

Claire Waxman, London’s independent victims’ commissioner,  welcomed the measures. 

She said: “Too often, I hear from victims facing relentless, terrifying behaviour from stalkers, only for the police or CPS to downgrade it to a lesser offence, such as malicious communications or harassment.

“It is clear the current stalking laws are failing to protect victims and I urge government to now proceed swiftly with their review in this area.”