Parliamentary debate on 'stalking advocates' to take place today after Gracie Spinks' death

The debate is due to start at 4.30pm

Author: Chris Davis-SmithPublished 31st Jan 2022

The ongoing call for more funding to help better protect people from stalkers throughout England will be raised in Parliament later today.

A debate is set to take place on whether police forces across the country should be given more investment to use specifically on 'stalking advocates'.

Jackie Barnett-Wheatcroft started the campaign for better resources in 2021 after the death of Gracie Spinks in Derbyshire last summer.

Over 100,000 people have now signed the petition set up by Jackie.

She feels the importance of the issue shouldn't be underestimated:

"This debate is so important. It means that we're being listened to. That's how I see it.

"We might not get everything that we want, we might not get anything that we want, but it doesn't stop us all from trying and fighting for more protection from stalkers.

"This petition was set up because of what happened to Gracie and everyone else who's been a victim of stalking.

"This sort of thing affects a lot of families. Some people have to move away from home, while others sadly get attacked or killed by their stalkers.

"The police need more hands-on deck. I've said since I started this campaign, I'm not looking to point the finger at anyone. Instead, I want to find out what isn't working and fix it. That's what is important to me."

Gracie, who was 23 years old, is believed to have been killed in Duckmanton by a man from Sheffield who she'd previously reported to the police.

His body was found nearby afterwards.

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