Staffordshire Police supports stalking awareness week

We are supporting national stalking awareness week across Staffordshire to encourage people to know the signs of stalking behaviour and take appropriate action.

The aim of the week, which runs from 22 to 25 April, is to encourage everyone to spot the signs of stalking and help victims to get appropriate support.  We want people to recognise the four behaviours that are warning signs that someone is stalking you:

• Fixated - being followed on your daily routine, spied on, or being watched by someone loitering around your work or home.
• Obsession - being monitored on or offline, cyberstalking, the ordering and cancelling of items on your behalf.
• Unwanted attention - gifts being sent or left for you; unwanted messages, letters or phone calls. Even damage or graffiti being caused to your property.
• Repeated behaviour - this can be any nuisance or threatening behaviour, being approached, accosted or bullied repeatedly.

The Recognise, Respond and Refer method is aimed at helping everyone identify and take appropriate action against stalking which can take place in public areas, the workplace, educational areas as well as around the home.

Detective Chief Inspector Shelley Burns, the force’s stalking and harassment lead, said: “Stalking and harassment affects everyone. We appreciate the serious impact stalking has on someone’s life and we want to reassure people that support is available.

“Stalking is not limited to following someone or loitering round where they live or work, but can consist of a multitude of different behaviours such as repeatedly texting, emailing or leaving voicemails, sending unwanted gifts, hacking into your computer, email, cameras and social media accounts, going through rubbish bins; leaving offensive material in the garden or verbal abuse or public humiliation.

“We’re in a digital era where being can be targeted online as well so it’s really important to know the signs of what to look for.”

Some examples of the types of behaviour that resulted in stalking convictions in Staffordshire in the last two years include:

• Following a victim while they were on holiday and on another occasion when they were out with friends
• Sending multiple messages to a victim and their friends
• Following a victim and later damaging their car
• Sending more than 200 emails to a victim
• Threatening to steal the victim’s car
• Attempting to access a victim’s bank account
• Sending 142 text messages to a victim in the space of a few hours
• Repeatedly contacting a victim on social media and threatening them with violence
• Fitting a tracker to a victim’s car
• Using an app on their phone to monitor a victim’s movements.

DCI Burns added: “We know how damaging stalking can be to victims and the wider public, leading to fear, distress and an impact on physical and mental health.

“Officers continue to do all we can to encourage the Crown Prosecution Service to charge offenders with stalking and harassment offences and to pursue offenders through court.

“Anyone who is concerned about stalking and harassment should report it to us as soon as possible.

“We would always encourage victims to keep a log of all contact, record each incidents as soon as they happen noting the date, time and capturing any evidence like photos and screenshots, clothing or vehicle details.

“Keep a note of any witnesses and ask friends, family, neighbours and colleagues to all keep a note if they witness anything.

“This evidence will help us when you’re ready to report it to us but if you, or someone you know is in immediate danger, always call 999.”

To find out more about the support we offer and other services, visit: Let's Talk Stalking | Staffordshire Police.