Oldham’s Liberal Democrats have welcomed recent news that the Domestic Abuse Bill passing through Parliament will now contain a commitment to establish a national offenders’ register for those convicted of stalking or domestic violence after the House of Lords amended the legislation.
Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Councillor Chris Gloster, a former police officer with 30 years’ experience, proposed the establishment of just such a register when he brought a motion to last December’s meeting of Oldham Council with the support of the Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service.
Councillor Chris Gloster is elated: “In light of the recent tragic murder of Sarah Everard, this development brings some hope that in the future serial offenders who are violent towards or stalk their victims will be tracked to prevent their reoffending and save innocent lives.
“Serial stalkers and domestic abusers should be put on the national register for violent and sex offenders and subject to greater monitoring by the police and other agencies. If we track them, we can stop them offending and perhaps save victims like Hollie Gazzard who was murdered by Asher Maslin, who had 24 previous violent offences against several partners.”