OFFICERS and staff in almost every frontline Sussex Police department will be trained in how to handle stalking cases within six months.

That is the hope of Detective Chief Inspector Pierre Serra who, in the last few weeks, has been appointed to oversee the force’s response to the crime.

His role is one of the swathes of changes being made in the way the force handles such cases in the wake of teenager Shana Grice’s murder at the hands of stalker Michael Lane.

In the days following the anniversary of the Mile Oak teenager’s death and as it emerged reports of stalking had risen 363 per cent in the last five months, DCI Serra said the work did not stop there.

It was now his mission to make sure officers get it right first time so victims get the police response they deserve and perpetrators are appropriately dealt with.

He plans to lead training, with the help of stalking experts, for inspectors of teams of call handlers, response and neighbourhood officers as well as custody or front desk staff.

They are, in turn, are expected roll this out among their departments. The move is in addition to appointing the 15 specialist stalking officers – trained by advocacy service Paladin – and the online assessments for every frontline officer, in which a 90 per cent pass rate is expected.

Last week police and crime commissioner Katy Bourne expressed concern the force may still be failing some victims.

DCI Serra has said urgent reviews will be launched whenever the force receives such a complaint from a stalking victim.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating 12 officers and staff over how the force handled complaints Miss Grice made about Lane’s behaviour before she died.

Mrs Bourne subsequently ordered an independent inquiry to look at how all stalking and harassment cases are handled by the force.

WE MUST NOT ONLY LISTEN BUT HEAR WHAT THE VICTIMS ARE SAYING

AN encounter with a victim 13 years ago marked a turning point in Detective Chief Inspector Pierre Serra’s career.

The woman was being stalked and he was one of the team investigating the case in Horsham.

Her candid accounts of how she was pursued and traumatised had a profound effect on him.

On learning the news the man responsible had been arrested and remanded in custody, the woman said it was the first good night’s sleep she had had in years.

Speaking exclusively to The Argus, DCI Serra told how this shaped his police work from that point on.

He knew the difference officers could make if they were able to help their victims feel safe.

It was his motivation as he moved into the public protection team, working to bring down paedophiles, sex attackers and other dangerous offenders.

And within the last few weeks, he has been appointed Sussex Police’s leading officer on stalking which he said is an “exciting opportunity” to influence change but also a “real challenge”.

He said: “The high point of that case 13 years ago was knowing our work allowed the victim to feel safe in the future.

“He was given a restraining order which gave her some control.”

Reports of stalking in the county rose by 363 per cent in the last five months, it emerged last week.

DCI Serra said he was encouraged by this as it meant victims were growing more confident in coming forward to report the crime.

But he said the work did not stop there and it was now his mission to work on the response they receive from officers.

His plan is to train officers in most frontline jobs on how to handle stalking cases within three to six months.

He and stalking experts from charity Veritas Justice, will lead this for chief inspectors and inspectors who will be expected to pass this wealth of knowledge on to their teams of call handlers, response and neighbourhood officers as well as front office desk staff.

He said: “Stalking can be particularly complex and we need to learn from our mistakes.

“We aren’t always going to get it right but if team leaders have a higher level of training and understanding that can filter down.

“Everybody is stretched, not just in the police but we have to recognise that some things need that extra time taken over them and that’s really important.

“The plan is for this training to be right across the board.

“These staff could be the first point of contact with a victim. It is important to identify if they are vulnerable early on so there is a much better chance of being able to keep them safe.

“Anyone could be vulnerable. We must not only listen but we must hear what the victims are saying.

“They must be believed.”

He is keen to expand the team of newly trained specialist officers too and ensure each frontline officer continues with their mandatory online stalking assessment of which a 90 per cent pass rate is expected.

The force and the commissioner have granted funding for Veritas for two years to support victims across the county.

They will be working closely with DCI Serra as will police and crime commissioner Katy Bourne.

He hopes this will all encourage victims to support police action against a perpetrator to see them appropriately dealt with.

Over the years he has worked with health professionals, probation, councils and prosecutors and he hopes that will continue in the fight against stalking.

Organisations are now taking part in monthly meetings on their approach to stalking to try and stop victims such as Shana Grice being overlooked.

Police will also audit their crime statistics and will be asking for decisions to file stalking investigations or not proceed with a prosecution to be explained.

Immediate reviews will be set up with any stalking victim who has a complaint about how officers handled their case.

This is taking place in the instance raised by Mrs Bourne, DCI Serra said.

He added: “When we’re putting the files together for the CPS we need to be look at if we are getting the right charges for the crimes and if we disagree we need to work to resolve that.

“We are already seeing progress in this area with more prosecutions going to court.”

He applauded the role reporters play in seeing justice is done by reporting on court proceedings and thought this would continue to act as a powerful deterrent to offenders.

His work is against the ticking clock before the Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary independent inquiry due to take place in November where it is essential the force show they have made rapid improvements.