Massive increase in stalking cases across Lincolnshire over past 5 years
Police say it's down to changes in recording practice and more awareness
Last updated 17th Jun 2021
Police across Lincolnshire have seen a massive increase in stalking cases over the past 5 years.
Humberside Police saw numbers rocket from 27 to more than 1,400.
The Lincolnshire force also saw a rise from 8 to almost 1,000.
Detective Super Intendent Martyn Parker says it's due to a change in recording practice and more awareness.
"It's almost a causation of events through the last 18 months.
"The more the media talk about it the more people will recognise that it's happening to them and forms part of stalking.
"You need to think - is this individual fixated on me? Are they obsessive around me? Is what they're doing unwanted? Is it continually repeated? You're then starting to get into the 4 signs of stalking elements.
"We have 7 stalking prevention orders live in Lincolnshire.
"Although we recognise those numbers aren't high in terms of our recorded crime, it's all part of an evolution to bring more offenders not necessarily to criminal justice, but to put more restrictions on their lifestyle and protect victims."
Domestic abuse service, EDAN Lincs, has seen an influx in referrals for support.
"They feel like they're in a prison. They're living their own life but they're not been able to actually live.
"They're constantly looking over their shoulder and hearing noises when they're in the house and thinking, is that someone breaking in?
"It's having a huge impact on their mental health and wellbeing.
"There are days where they're feeling more positive and then the stalker messages them and says 'I know you've done this, I've been watching you,' and now they're in pieces that somebody's having this serious impact on their life.
"There's that fear that you'll never be free from your abuser."