Utilising the latest Crime Survey data, on 26 September 2024 the Office for National Statistics highlighted that:
“Around one in seven people aged 16 years and over in England and Wales has been a victim of stalking at least once…
One in five women and around 1 in 11 men aged 16 years and over has been a victim of stalking…
Younger people were more likely to be stalking victims in the year ending March 2024”.
The ONS noted that the Crime Survey for England and Wales defines stalking as two or more incidents causing distress, fear, or alarm, including:
- receiving obscene or threatening unwanted letters, emails, text messages or phone calls
- having obscene or threatening information about them placed on the internet
- a person waiting or loitering around their home or workplace
- being followed or watched.
As to the prevalence, they write:
“Our CSEW provides the best measure for understanding how many people experience stalking in England and Wales every year. Our latest data showed that an estimated 1.5 million people aged 16 years and over experienced stalking in the year ending March 2024. Levels of stalking have been fairly consistent over the last 10 years…
While the CSEW shows stalking trends have been relatively flat in the last decade the number of stalking offences recorded by the police has risen dramatically, reflecting improvements to police recording practices, changes to Home Office counting rules and victims’ willingness to come forward…
Despite these rises, the number of police-recorded stalking offences remains well below levels reported in the CSEW, with 129,076 offences recorded in the year ending March 2024, up from 2,885 in the year ending March 2015…
Since their introduction in 2019, Stalking Protection Orders have been used to allow early police intervention in stalking cases. From February 2021 to December 2021, 434 applications for Stalking Protection Orders were made and 232 were issued, according to the latest data from His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service.
…
Out of approximately 1.5 million stalking victims in the year ending March 2024, an estimated 423,000 (28%) were victims of domestic stalking, with 314,000 (21%) being stalked by a partner or ex-partner and 141,000 (9%) being stalked by a family member.
… Approximately 635,000 (42%) victims reported that the stalking had involved online methods, like using electronic communications to threaten or harass”.
The ONS data came in the same week that the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), College of Policing and HMICFRS published their findings in response to a police super-complaint submitted by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust on behalf of the National Stalking Consortium in 2022. Writing about this on 27 September 2024, the Victims’ Commissioner wrote:
“The complaint raised serious concerns about the police response to stalking such as misidentification of stalking incidents, flawed investigations and inaction — as well as failure to apply stalking orders. The response found ‘clear evidence’ to support the grounds of the complaint and poor victim experience.
…
Sadly, these findings come as no surprise. For far too long stalking has been poorly understood, which has resulted in the failure of police officers to understand the level of harm caused by stalking. This is in part a result of police viewing incidents in isolation and failing to acknowledge the wider pattern of behaviour and the cumulative impact this has on victims. All too often, those responsible for protecting victims and apprehending offenders have failed to act, sometimes with serious and tragic consequences.
Whilst the report highlights some welcome improvement in police response to stalking, such as increased number of recorded crimes, today’s findings set out the need for significant changes, ensuring reports are consistently taken seriously and victims are better safeguarded. Recommendations such as clearer legislation, police training and improved statutory guidance — as well as steps to promote the use of stalking protection orders are also welcome.
I also welcome the findings which acknowledge the need for a ‘whole system approach’ to stalking, with enhanced focus on multi-agency working, bringing together criminal justice staff, health professionals and independent stalking advocates. Stalking hubs, which have been piloted in some parts of the country, have much to offer when it comes to scaling up response and support to victims.
For too long, victims of stalking have been let down by the police and other criminal justice agencies. This report sets out a clear path forward. Only by accepting and implementing the recommendations set out by IOPC and others can we be sure future victims will get the support and protection they so badly need”.
The ONS Analysis related to Stalking can be accessed here.
The ONS data related to stalking can be accessed here.
The Victims’ Commissioner’s Press Release can be accessed here.
Original reporting by Family Law Week