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23
May 2022
Gay man says Harrogate police take women victims of stalking more seriously
A man who was stalked and harassed by his former partner has accused police of failing to take the case seriously because he was a gay man.
Jack* and his partner of five years, Paul*, who both live in Harrogate, broke up in early 2021.
Although the split was instigated by his partner, and was initially amicable, Jack said Paul soon began to turn up at his house and at places he would usually visit.
Jack said:
Eventually, after realising how much Paul’s actions were affecting his social and work life, Jack decided to contact the police last June.
He was initially uncertain whether the situation was something the police would deal with, but was reassured by the call handler.
Relieved
Jack said he felt relieved he was being taken seriously and waited to receive an update from the officer.
However, he never received a call.
Meanwhile, Paul’s behaviour continued to make Jack feel uncomfortable. Jack reported further instances of stalking and harassment, but never heard anything back.
He received a call from a specialist police officer who advised getting new locks, increasing home security and changing his routine. While Jack appreciated the advice, it also served as a reminder that he could be in danger.
Jack was advised by specialist police to change his locks and increase his home security
By mid-September, Jack said he felt frustrated that he had still heard nothing and submitted a complaint to the police by email. It took six weeks for them to respond.
The answer from an inspector in early November was that the PC assigned to his case was inexperienced, and had been given advice about his work.
Paul had now been interviewed, he said, and a file would be submitted to the CPS for advice about charging him.
In an email seen by the Stray Ferret, the inspector added:
Yet more time passed with no information from the police. Jack emailed again asking for updates, and for a copy of his original statement, but received no response.
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He heard no further until February this year, when IDAS – the domestic abuse charity which he had been put in touch with by police after he first called them – told him the case had been dropped five weeks earlier.
The reason was nothing to do with evidence or proof. Rather, Jack said, it was because the officer dealing with the case had only passed the file to the CPS a week before charges had to be made or the case had to be dropped.
Effectively, there was not enough time for the CPS to process it before the six-month deadline for dealing with the case had passed.
While he accepts there is nothing he can do in his case, Jack said he hopes raising the issue publicly will help other victims who might face similar problems.
He believes complaints of stalking and harassment are taken more seriously when made by women about men, but said that shouldn’t be the case.
Jack said:
Jack has now taken his complaint to the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Zoe Metcalfe. He is awaiting a response from her.
He said:
Zoe Metcalfe, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner
The Stray Ferret contacted North Yorkshire Police, but we were told they could not respond while the case was being investigated by the PFCC.
The PFCC’s office said it could not comment on an individual case because of data protection. A spokesperson declined to comment on the issue of whether gender or sexuality could play a part in officers’ handling of cases, but added:
*names changed to protect identities
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