Stalking campaign to highlight support for victims

The National Stalking Awareness Week will be marked between 22 and 26 April

A police force has launched a campaign to tackle and support victims of stalking to mark National Stalking Awareness Week.

Stalking is defined as persistent and unwanted attention causing the victim to feel pestered, alarmed or in fear violence might be used against them.

In the year from March 2023, 776 stalking incidents were reported in Cambridgeshire and the county's police force will be highlighting the support available to victims.

Det Ch Insp Dave Savill said: “Being stalked can have a big impact on the victim, not just physically, but psychologically, too. It can be such a frightening experience."

Stalkers are more likely to be male and known to the victim, but could be anyone - for instance, a former or current partner, a colleague, neighbour, acquaintance or a stranger, according to the force.

It said recognising stalking was the first step in keeping safe and that the following behaviour could constitute stalking:

• Fixated: Someone being followed during their daily routine

• Obsessive: Being monitored online through emails, social media, or any other forms of electronic communication

• Unwanted: Receiving unwanted gifts, messages, phone calls or emails

• Repeated: Nuisance or threatening behaviour; being accosted or bullied repeatedly.

Det Ch Insp Savill said: "Stalking can begin with a few seemingly innocent messages and escalate quite quickly.

"Victims often try to change their daily routines, move away, change jobs - just to try and make it stop. No-one should be living in fear like this."

He said the force wanted to highlight the support for victims who reported stalking, including access to a specialist stalking Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) and referral to its Victim and Witness Hub.

"We continue to work closely with colleagues nationally, as well as charities such as the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, to empower victims and to help them move on with their lives," he added.