BETTER sex education at school may have taught a stalker who murdered his ex-girlfriend that his behaviour towards women was unacceptable, a report states.

Davina James-Hanman, independent chairman of the domestic homicide review into Shana Grice’s death, made the comments in her findings.

She visited Lane in prison to question him as part of the review. Lane killed Miss Grice at her home in Portslade in August 2016.

Ms James-Hanman said inquiries were made over Lane’s schooling as part of the report and it was likely sex education was “not a priority” in his school when he attended, adding: “Although highly speculative, it is possible that quality healthy relationships education may have enabled (Lane) to understand the unacceptable nature of his behaviour toward many of the women who later complained as well as (Shana).”

The report said it was “of concern” young women and girls did not contemporaneously report their experiences of stalking and harassment, calling on authorities to establish why this is happening and for the “prevailing culture” in which such behaviour is “normalised or even rationalised as romance” needed to change.

A lack of recognition on the dangers of stalking led to missed opportunities and Miss Grice’s reports not being taken seriously while Sussex Police failed to follow procedure and policy, the report said.

There was also an “under-appreciation” of the dangers of stalking by family and friends of the pair, according to the findings.

Ms James-Hanman called for a cross-Government definition of stalking to be agreed as a “matter of urgency”.

Earlier this year Sussex police and crime commissioner Katy Bourne, herself a victim of stalking, hosted a summit in Parliament to share best practice among police forces and ensure a consistent response to stalking.

The meeting prompted calls for a legal definition of stalking to improve “confusing” legislation and offer better support for victims.

Sussex Stalking Support said there is “not enough professional curiosity” from authorities, and people are “routinely given poor responses from front line officers, who do not have the true comprehension of stalking and therefore are ineffective”.

A spokeswoman added: “Unfortunately our clients are still reporting that attitudes to stalking are met with unsympathetic responses and poor or misleading advice.

"Training is routinely being side-stepped. CPS charging decisions are inadequate.”

Stalking victim Sam Taylor, who set up the organisation to help victims deal with the trauma of being targeted, said perpetrators must be stopped in their tracks or their behaviour could dramatically escalate - as seen with Lane.

She added: “It’s a broader society attitude problem that people don’t want to deal with crimes like stalking. They are complex issues.

“There just isn’t enough training for police.”