Stalking cases in Cambridgeshire going underreported, warn police
Almost 800 incidents were reported to police in a 12-month period
Police are telling us the true number of stalking incidents taking place in Cambridgeshire may be much higher.
In the year up to last month, the force received 776 reports of stalking, 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.
This week, the force has been highlighting the support available to victims as part of National Stalking Awareness Week in partnership with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.
"Offences of that nature historically go underreported"
Detective Chief Inspector Dave Savill oversees Cambridgeshire Police's response to stalking.
"Offences of that nature, they're historically underreported; I don't believe that 776 captures everything," he said.
"Equally, we don't necessarily look at a higher number and say that's a bad thing because that suggests more people are having the confidence to come forward to police.
"Some of the behaviours people see, perhaps a relationship that's broken down and one party's not wanting to let go and repeatedly maintains that contact or tries to keep that contact when the other party isn't reciprocating.
"I don't think people necessarily see that as stalking behaviour, for example."
Four key tips to staying safe from stalking
Cambridgeshire Police are telling people to think 'FOUR' when recognising stalking behaviour:
• 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.
"Their life gets turned upside down"
Mr Savill said stalking can have different effects on a victim, which may be tough to deal with.
"Their life gets turned upside down; it's a real personal crime," he added.
“Being stalked can have a big impact on the victim, not just physically, but psychologically too. It can be such a frightening experience.
"It's about the impact on that person, how they have to change their life to almost mitigate the risk around it; nobody should have to change their life because of the actions of someone else, and that's why we take stalking so seriously."
For information and advice about stalking, you can visit Cambridgeshire Police's support page, call the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300 or other organisations.