Herts Police urge people to be aware about the devastating nature of stalking ahead of National Stalking Week

Hertfordshire Constabulary raises awareness of stalking 

Stalking can seem trivial but the fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated behaviour can have devastating consequences for victims.  

Hertfordshire Constabulary is raising awareness of the dangers of predatory stalking and harassment behaviours which can quickly escalate, during National Stalking Awareness Week, which starts today (Monday 24 April). This year's theme is Standing Against Stalking: supporting young people.  

The Force has produced a series of short videos for its TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter social media accounts, which will be released during the week @HertsPolice. They highlight the misconceptions about stalking and use real life examples of Hertfordshire victims who have experienced stalking.   

The Force has a specialist Domestic Abuse Investigation and Safeguarding Unit (DAISU), which works with other agencies to safeguard victims and bring offenders before the courts. 

Detective Chief Inspector Andrea Dalton, who heads up the DAISU, said: "Anyone can be a victim of stalking irrespective of age, gender or race and stalking is a recognised criminal offence. Sadly, some offenders get so obsessive and fixated on their victims that their behaviour can quickly escalate and even put victims' lives in danger." 

The definition of stalking is behaviour which is Fixated, Obsessive, Unwanted and Repeated (FOUR).  

"Young people may not always recognise this kind of behaviour as stalking and they are especially vulnerable to being stalked on social media, which can be just as dangerous as following someone," added DCI Dalton. 

Social networking sites, chat rooms, gaming sites and other forums can be used to stalk and harass someone, as well as calling, texting, sending emails, or creating fake social media accounts to spy on or impersonate someone.  

She continued: "You don't even have to be in a relationship to be a victim of stalking. A stalking victim may even romanticise about the behaviour, which can include repeated texts, gifts, turning up at school/university or work and contacting family members or friends. 

"It's important that everyone recognises the signs and look out for changes in behaviour of your children, friends or neighbours, which can include being withdrawn, becoming more introverted or anxious and some people have suicidal thoughts. 

"Stalking can affect people of all ages, genders and backgrounds and identities."  

The good news is that there are several measures that can be put in place to safeguard victims. Specialist officers deal Stalking Prevention Orders which puts strict measures in place to protect victims. They usually include prohibitions for the offender like areas they must avoid and may include not contacting their victim in any way, including via social media. A breach of a stalking protection order is a criminal offence, and the offender could be sent to prison.  

If you are worried that you are being stalked, you can contact the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300 or go to www.suzylamplugh.org for advice and support. In an emergency, always call 999.