Domestic abuse campaigners are advocating for increased use of location tracking technology to monitor high-risk suspects. This follows the murder of Stacy Hunter in Renfrewshire last month by her estranged husband, who was reportedly on bail at the time.
An online petition, launched by domestic abuse survivor Lynne Mackenzie, calls for a "Stacy's law" to mandate GPS monitoring for perpetrators or suspects released on bail. This could include exclusion zones around victims' homes or workplaces, triggering police alerts if breached.
Scottish ministers have previously faced criticism regarding the slow implementation of GPS equipment, which is used less in Scotland compared to other countries. The Scottish government has indicated it is listening to victims and support organisations and will carefully consider the petition.
Mike Nellis, an emeritus professor at the University of Strathclyde, stated that such a system is feasible, but cautioned that no system is foolproof. He noted that some women's support groups have previously raised concerns that these systems might offer a false sense of security.