HUDDERSFIELD MP Barry Sheerman has backed plans for a new law to curb stalking.

And the veteran Labour man is pushing for the new legislation to be brought in as soon as possible.

Mr Sheerman was one of the MPs on a commission which looked at the concerns and issues.

They have come up with proposals for a new offence of stalking.

And they urged it should be brought in immediately to stop harassment and intimidation turning to murder.

But MPs and peers from all parties warned that a new law alone would not be enough to protect victims and said “fundamental reform” of the system was needed.

Mr Sheerman said: “Some of the evidence we heard was shocking.

“We all know that people are concerned by stalking, including the Prime Minister, but none of us realised just how serious it is for so many people.

“It is vital we get this legislation in as soon as we can, not just to help potential victims, but also to get treatment for those who may develop an obsession.”

The independent Parliamentary Inquiry into Stalking Law Reform called for key changes to be made to training, risk assessments and the treatment and sentencing of stalkers in the Government’s ongoing review of harassment legislation.

It comes after a man who stalked his ex-girlfriend on Facebook before stabbing her to death was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years after being found guilty of murder.

Clifford Mills, 49, attacked Lorna Smith after inviting her to his flat in Brixton, south London, in February last year. He denied murder, claiming that he was suffering a mental abnormality at the time, but an Old Bailey jury took just 90 minutes to find him guilty.