Hundreds of stalking offences reported each day in county, stats show

GOVERNMENT data has revealed that the equivalent of 300 stalking offences were reported every day in Derbyshire last year.

Derby was among the worst areas for stalking in 2021, figures suggest – with one of the highest rates of offences recorded across the country.

Some 983 stalking offences were logged in the Derby community safety partnership area by police in 2021, according to the latest Home Office data. That was equivalent to 3.8 cases for every 1,000 of the local population – the joint-fourth highest rate of hundreds of areas across England and Wales. This was followed by Chesterfield, where 3.7 offences were recorded per 1,000 residents – the joint-sixth highest rate.

A total of 3,107 stalking offences were recorded by Derbyshire police during the year, compared to 2,121 in 2020 and 418 in 2019.

However, the Home Office has said that figures for 2021 were not comparable with previous years due to a change in police recording practices.

Separate figures show that, of 2,865 stalking cases closed by Derbyshire police in 2021, seven per cent (198) resulted in a suspect being charged. This was slightly lower than the nine per cent charge rate for all crimes. A further 49 per cent (1,394) of stalking cases were closed after the alleged victim did not support further action, higher than the 31 per cent for all crime types.

Stalking is defined by the police as a pattern of repeated, unwanted behaviour that causes someone to feel distressed or scared. This could include sending regular gifts or unwanted messages, but may also involve physical and sexual assault.

According to the stalking charity the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, the majority of people who contact its helpline have been stalked by an ex-partner or someone they know.

Across England and Wales, police recorded more than 117,000 stalking offences last year – equivalent to more than 300 every day.

Out of around 109,000 stalking cases closed by police across the two nations over the period, only seven per cent (7,069) resulted in a charge or summons. This, however, is similar to the overall charge rate of all crimes – eight per cent.

But some alleged victims did not support further action in their cases, and 53 per cent (57,402) were closed after they took this decision, compared to 29 per cent for all crimes.

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust has called for extra funding for trained specialists to support victims of stalking, which it says will help improve charge and conviction rates. Dame Vera Baird QC, Victim’s Commissioner for England and Wales, has backed the charity’s call for these dedicated “stalking advocates”.

She said: “Stalking is a dangerous and insidious crime and the impact on the victim can be devastating. Yet all too often, victims are not receiving the criminal justice outcomes that might be expected, underlining the need for specialist stalking support.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Stalking is an insidious crime that leaves many victims psychologically distressed. “The Government takes its response to stalking extremely seriously, which is why we have tripled our funding to the National Stalking Helpline and doubled the maximum sentence for stalking from five to 10 years.”