Section 131 Guidance about stalkingI1

In the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, after section 7 insert—

“Guidance about stalking

7A

(1)

The Secretary of State must issue guidance to such public authorities in England and Wales as the Secretary of State considers appropriate about—

(a)

the effect of any of sections 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B and 7,

(b)

the effect of any provision of the Stalking Protection Act 2019,

(c)

the effect of any provision of Chapter 3A of Part 11 of the Sentencing Code (stalking protection orders), or

(d)

other matters relating to stalking.

(2)

The Secretary of State may revise any guidance issued under this section.

(3)

Before issuing any guidance or revisions under this section the Secretary of State must consult such persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

This does not apply to revisions the Secretary of State considers are not substantial.

(4)

The Secretary of State must publish any guidance or revisions issued under this section.

(5)

A public authority to whom guidance is given under this section must have regard to it in the exercise of the authority’s public functions.

(6)

In this section, “public authority” means any person exercising public functions, other than a court or tribunal.”