Joining forces against stalking

Cambridgeshire Constabulary is pledging its support for National Stalking Awareness Week which launches today (22 April).

The theme for this year’s national campaign, spearheaded by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, is Join Forces Against Stalking: From Disclosure to Conviction, and the constabulary will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with partner agencies in tackling the crime which leaves many victims living in fear.

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

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

Recognising stalking behaviour is the first step in keeping safe – think FOUR:

• Fixated: someone being followed during their daily routine, spied on, being watched, loitering in any place frequented by the victim
• Obsessive: being monitored online through emails, social media, or any other forms of electronic communication, identity theft
• Unwanted: gifts, messages, phone calls, emails
• Repeated: nuisance or threatening behaviour, being accosted or bullied repeatedly, trying to contact the victim by any means

There were 776 stalking incidents reported in Cambridgeshire in the past year until last month and throughout this week the force will be highlighting the support available to victims.

Detective Chief Inspector 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.

“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.

“With the focus of this year’s national campaign being Join Forces Against Stalking, we want to highlight the support available for victims who report stalking to us. This will include access to a specialist stalking Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA), as well as a referral to our 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.”

To report stalking click here or call police on 101, or in the case of an emergency always dial 999.

For information and advice about stalking visit our support page or call the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300. For local support organisations visit: dedicated support page.