Wiltshire Police launch stalking campaign
They're urging us to be aware of the 'red flags' that constitute stalking
We're being urged by Wiltshire Police to be aware of the 'red flags' that indicate the early stages of stalking.
The Force has launched a campaign, including 'rom-com' style video to highlight the seemingly harmless behaviours that constitute stalking, which can then escalate.
Between May 2023 and April 2024, Wiltshire Police dealt with 503 stalking crimes, 84% of which were females.
Swindon saw the majority of those incidents, as indicated in the table below.
Stalking behaviour can appear minor when viewed in isolation, but they combine into something much greater into a pattern of Fixated, Obsessed, Unwanted and Repeated behaviour.
Detective Chief Superintendent Liz Coles told Greatest Hits Radio that stalking has a massive impact on victims lives.
DCS Coles said: "It can take over their lives, especially when we consider things like cyberstalking. The majority of us have got mobile phones, and if the stalking is being done that way, it can be a constant thing in someone's life when they're trying to go about their daily business."
She added that the campaign is vital to educate, not just victims, on the signs, but also potential perpetrators as well as family and friends, who might be able to advise and support victims of stalking.
DCS Coles is encouraging anyone who thinks they could be suffering or witnessing stalking behaviour to call 101 to report it.
An intrusive crime
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Cooper said: “Stalking is an intrusive crime, victims are endlessly harassed, their private lives completely intruded. The dangers of stalking should not be overlooked. Stalkers can change their behaviours and as they do, the risk to victims increases.
Here's a list of the signs someone my be being stalked.
• Getting unexpected visits to your home or place of work
• Having persistent phone calls, messages or contact over social media
• Receiving unwanted gifts or items turning up at your address
• Someone interferes or damages with your property, or breaking into your home
• Someone hanging around where they know you visit
• The stalker contacts your family, friends and colleagues to gain information about you, or make complaints
• You receive verbal abuse and/or public humiliation
• Hacking into your social media or your emails
• Spreading rumours/discrediting you
• Threats made against you, your family and your friends
• You are blackmailed
• The stalker seeks physical proximity by applying for jobs where you work; joining the same gym; church; professional/social sports groups or clubs; moving into the same neighbourhood or building
• Identity theft – the stalker pretends to be you
• Running up debt in your name
• Planting spyware - viruses on your computer/laptop
• Tracking your location.
Police and Crime Commissioner backing support services
The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has funded a new Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworker (ISAC) as well as continuing to support a specialist court Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) at the Wiltshire charity FearFree which supports victims through the criminal justice system.
PCC Philip Wilkinson said the seriousness of stalking had been highlighted in the Netflix-hit Baby Reindeer.
He said: “With this heightened public interest and awareness of stalking, we must ensure that victims of these incredibly invasive crimes are being encouraged to report behaviours that fit into the FOUR framework to Wiltshire Police, as well as having access to the best support available through our work with organisations such as FearFree, Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service, Horizon and Victim Support – regardless of whether or not they’ve reported a crime to the police."
Mr Wilkinson added that his office is working closely with the force to make sure the training officers receive is the best it can be.