Sevenfold increase in reports of stalking

THE number of reports to police by people being stalked has shot up by nearly 700 per cent since 2019.

The increase can be explained, in part, by the fact people have been urged to report offences against them since the Stalking Protection Act 2019 was introduced and more cases were recorded as stalking, rather than as other crimes, such as harassment.

In 2019, there were 351 reports of stalking made to Leicestershire Police - fewer than one per day. In 2021 the figure was 2,443 - about seven per day. There were 1,927 in 2020, latest Home Office data shows.

Around Leicestershire and Rutland, the area with the highest number of reports was the city of Leicester, which had 1,052 offences reported last year - about three reports per 1,000 people. North West Leicestershire, including the towns of Ashby and Coalville, was second, with a rate of 2.1 per 1,000.

Nearly all of the Leicestershire 2021 stalking cases - 2,321 - have now been closed, although only 132

resulted in anyone being charged with an offence. The rate, however, which is about six per cent, is not far below the rate for all crimes, which is seven per cent of reports leading to criminal charges.

The Home Office figures also reveal that more than half - 51 per cent of the reports - were closed after the alleged victims decided not to support further action by the police, for whatever reason. Looking at all crimes reported in Leicestershire, about 28 per cent end with the alleged victim deciding against continuing with the case.

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

Among the prosecutions at Leicester Crown Court this year was the case of Wayne Dowsett, who was jailed in March for terrifying a Wigston mum-of-two who used to be in a relationship with him. He threatened to slit her throat, harm her children and “petrol bomb” her home, forcing her to move out.

The 39-year-old subjected his exgirlfriend to “emotional bullying and threats of the worst kind,” Leicester Crown Court was told. Dowsett admitted one count of stalking, with intent to cause fear of violence, during various incidents between March and November last year.

Dowsett, of Wellesley Road, Colchester, Essex, was jailed for 16 months.

Recorder Balraj Bhatia QC told him: “This was sustained emotional bullying of the worst type.”

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

The 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”.

INTRODUCTION OF 2019 ACT HAS ENCOURAGED VICTIMS TO SPEAK OUT