Training follows surge in stalking

POLICE OFFICERS and staff across Yorkshire are receiving training to help them respond to crimes of stalking and harassment following a surge in the number of crimes, The Yorkshire Post can reveal.

Despite stating that new Home Office recording rules are to blame for a 51 per cent rise in stalking and harassment offences across Yorkshire in the last 12 months, forces across the region claimed these types of crimes are taken seriously with dedicated training for officers and staff.

Figures released by the Office for National Statistics show there were 66,133 stalking and harassment offences reported to police across Yorkshire in the 12 months ending in June.

West Yorkshire Police – the county’s largest police force – recorded a total of 35,533 offences, followed by South Yorkshire Police with 16,933 stalking and harassment crimes, Humberside Police with 10,275 and North Yorkshire Police with 3,392.

Suky Bhaker, the acting chief executive officer of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, has called on police forces across the country to take reports of cyber crime seriously and stated officers must understand that the psychological impact of such behaviours is just as severe as physical behaviours.

Detective Superintendent Jon Morgan, from West Yorkshire Police’s Safeguarding Central Governance Unit, said: “We have changed our policy on the use of harassment notices and have put in place dedicated training for our officers and staff to help raise awareness of what constitutes harassment and stalking and best practice in investigating these offences.

“We also regularly review cases and continue to work closely with the CPS to secure the best outcomes for victims.”

South Yorkshire Police said staff are currently receiving training in relation to crimes of stalking and harassment.