Stalking and harassment crimes in the West Midlands rise by nearly 100% in a year
There was also a large rise in domestic abuse, rapes and hate crime
The number of stalking and harassment reports being made to police in the West Midlands is on the rise, according to new figures by the Office for National Statistics.
The offences have seen a steep rise in reports over the last year of 99%.
The figures are based on the period of July 2020 to June 2021.
There were also reductions in some crimes including knife crime and burglaries, and robberies and car crime remain low
The West Midlands has seen a 16% drop in burglaries, robberies reduce by 1% and knife crime by 4.1%.
Domestic abuse has also risen by 41% as well as the number of rapes rising by 49%. While hate crime has also increased by 43% fuelled by online offending.
Deputy Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine said: "We recognise that our biggest crime types are stalking and harassment, domestic abuse and rape and we are doing lots to tackle them.
"We know the last year or so has been tough on relationships and that people have been suffering domestic abuse in both physical and psychological forms.
"But we need people to know there is no need to suffer alone and the force, along with the many charities and refuges across the West Midlands, are ready, willing and able to help."