Stalking has become a specific criminal offence in England and Wales in a move to improve victims' safety.

It is meant to protect people who find themselves systematically, psychologically or physically threatened.

But many have asked whether the new law will work, and how it differs from existing harassment laws.

Jeremy Browne, crime prevention minister at the Ministry of Justice, told the Today programme: "We're trying to do more to add clarity both for victims and the police in terms of addressing the problem."

"We anticipate that more people will report transgressions when they're victims of stalking. It's a very under-reported crime at the moment, but people's lives can be completely ruined by stalking."

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