‘Mystery creature’ identified Mink spotted in River Arun
A mystery creature spotted in the River Arun has been identified as an American mink. It was seen in a pond off the river at Pulborough and a photo posted on social media led to public speculation about what it was. But Roger Smith, who photographed creature, said: “The mink looks like an otter but it’s not as big, it’s about half the size and has a rather pointed nose.” He said he had spotted it last year too, and he added: “I’m pretty sure it was responsible for the disappearance of so many ducklings last year.”
Stalking victim Sally shared her ordeal at the hands of a stalker, who was not convicted despite overwhelming evidence. After receiving apologies from Sussex Police and the Crown Prosecution Service, Sally has called for more to be done to secure convictions for stalking and harassment.
She heaped praise on the advocacy service Veritas – a stalking support charity to which victims are referred by Sussex Police.
Veritas’ director, Claudia Ortiz, said stalking statistics were likely considerably higher as it is under-reported and under-recognised.
“Sadly, the negative impact of this form of fixated, obsessed and unwanted communication is still not fully appreciated by many,” she said. “The wider implications of this pandemic are still to be understood but the increasing levels of domestic abuse and domestic homicides over the last few months are of great concern to us. With 80 per cent of our clients being stalked by exintimate partners, we know that demand for our service will only increase over the coming months and beyond, so it is imperative to ensure that victims of stalking are not forgotten in this crisis.
“We are determined more than ever to continue providing victims of stalking across Sussex with the help and support they need at this challenging time. No one should have to live in fear.”
Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne, herself a victim of stalking, has set out tackling the crime as a priority in her upcoming Police and Crime Plan. She said the tragic death of Shana Grice in 2016, who was murdered by her boyfriend despite repeatedly reporting him to the police for stalking, was a ‘real wake-up call’ and revealed huge issues Sussex Police needed to address.
She commissioned an independent review into how Sussex Police deals with stalking and harassment in 2017, which found work was needed particularly on recording and recognising patterns of stalking behaviour. The increase in cases was ‘alarming and distressing’, said Mrs Bourne, but said it was a sign officers were now more able to identify instances of stalking and harassment and victims more comfortable coming forward.
Sussex Police was the first force in the country to issue a Stalking Protection Order, legislation introduced in January last year that prohibits offenders from contacting victims, publishing any material relating to them or going to certain areas. It also grants police powers to enter their homes, force them to check in at a police station every week and place monitoring software on their devices. Breaching an order can result in a jail sentence, fine or both. Twenty-nine have been secured in the last twelve months – the highest total outside London.
Detective Chief Inspector Mick Richards, of the force’s Public Protection Command, pointed to the police’s work with groups like Veritas, the National Stalking Helpline, Paladin and the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. “Equally important is the training we give to our staff,” he said. “In addition the training that all front-line officers and staff receive, we have an expert group of more than 90 officers and staff across the force with additional skills around stalking, and who ensure that our individual investigations are subject of review. We have also set up a Stalking Scrutiny panel and have welcomed on to it a number of representatives from partners including the judiciary, the stalking advocacy services, the force’s Independent Advisory Group and the PCC’s office, to provide independent scrutiny of our working practices, response to victims, and pursuit of offenders.
“In another initiative we have been one of the police forces trialling a new ‘Stalking Screening’ process. This has been designed to assist our front line responders in quickly and effectively identifying and responding to the Fixated, Obsessive, Unwanted and Repeated (FOUR) behaviours that represent Stalking, setting out a number of options and actions to immediately improve the safeguarding of the victim.”
People can report stalking or harassment online or by calling 101 or in person at your local police station, but people should call 999 if they are in danger. Veritas Justice, which provides advocacy and support for victims of stalking, can be reached on 01273 234773.
The National Stalking Helpline provides advice and guidance to victims of stalking or harassment. Its helpline is 0808 802 0300. Further local information and advice is also available at SafeSpaceSussex and on the Sussex Police website.