STALKING victims in Warwickshire are being urged to come forward during National Stalking Awareness Week.
The campaign, which is headed up by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, is running from today (Monday April 25) until Friday (April 29) and aims to raise awareness of stalking.
Det Ch Insp Zaid Khan of Warwickshire Police, which is backing the week-long campaign, said: “Stalking is a crime that is distressing and malicious and is something no-one should have to put up with. The force is committed to continually improving our understanding of stalking and our response to it.
“Although stalking during the pandemic has changed, with greater reliance on cyber-related elements, it has not gone away and the impact on victims of stalking can make them feel increasingly isolated.
“I would always urge anyone who believes they may be subject of stalking to come forward as early as possible and report their concerns to us so we can work with them to protect them.
“We want victims to be confident and know we will take all reports and forms of stalking seriously. These offences have a significant life-changing impact on victims and without appropriate early intervention the risk of harm can escalate very rapidly.
“We are fully committed not only to doing all that we can to bring offenders to justice but also to safeguarding victims.
“During the National Stalking Awareness week, we will be educating people on the offence of stalking, how to report concerns and which organisations can provide guidance, advice and support.
“It is important victims know they can come forward to the police, and that the offenders of this terrible crime are dealt with. Stalking needs to be unmasked.”
Stalkers often have an obsession with the person they are targeting. It can be someone known to the victim such as an ex-partner or a person they were friends with, or it might be a stranger.
Stalking may include regularly following someone, repeatedly going uninvited to their home, checking someone’s internet or email use, hanging around somewhere they know the person often visits, interfering with their property, watching or spying on someone, or identity theft.
If the behaviour is fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated, it is more than likely to be stalking,
Anyone who suspects they are being stalked can report it online or contact police on 101. If they are in immediate danger call 999.
There is also support and advice from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust on the National Stalking Helpline 0808 802 0300, and through the Paladin National Stalking Advocacy Service on 020 3866 4107.
Visit www.suzylamplugh.org for more information about the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/bdeav9he for information about how victims of stalking can get help.
