Three cases are reported every day

There were more than three stalking and harassment cases reported every day in Maidstone over the last 12 months, figures reveal.

Office for National Statistics data shows in the County Town 1,413 cases of stalking, harassment or malicious communications were reported between July 2017 and June 2018.

Of the three crimes stalking is the most serious, and can include following someone, repeatedly going uninvited to their home and monitoring their use of phones and computers.

Anti-domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid said too often abuse which doesn’t leave bruises “is not taken seriously enough”.

Katie Ghose, the charity’s chief executive, explained: “Abusers will often stop at nothing to make sure that their victim does not escape their control.

“From our work with survivors, we know many women experience stalking as part of an ongoing pattern of controlling and abusive behaviour after leaving an abusive partner.”

Ms Ghose said she was pleased there has been police progress regarding stalking, with improvements in identification and recording of the crime.

In Maidstone reported stalking and harassment offences have more than tripled since 2015-16.

Across England and Wales there was an 86% increase over that time, which could be down to better recording by officers.

The government is currently passing a Stalking Protection Bill, to protect victims and has said it is giving £4.1 million to the Suzy Lamplugh Trust to better educate officers about the issue.