Cumbria Police has been working closely with partner agencies to introduce a Multi-Agency Stalking Coordination Group.
This multi-agency forum allows collaborative working and information-sharing between policing and partner agencies services providing victim support to all stalking victims.
Following this, the force hosted a conference so professionals could learn from each other to improve services, help prevent offences and provide support to victims.
People attending included representations from organisations including the local authorities, health, adult social care, children’s social care, Probation, Victim Support and drug and alcohol services.
The event, held at Cumbria Police headquarters, near Penrith, was focussing on the progress of the recently-introduced multi-agency forum.
Detective Chief Inspector Gemma Hannah said: “Everyone has the right to live their life without fear.
“The nature of this type of crime is particularly distressing because the perpetrator is directly targeting a person.
“This conference was a chance for people from different agencies to come together, discuss the issues and arrangements, learn from each other, help each other deal with these offences and support victims.
“The professionals attending may be involved in identifying and tackling stalking, helping victims or they may come into contact with victims.”
Various agencies have this week been highlighting advice and support throughout National Stalking Awareness Week.
The week, initiated by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, provides an annual platform to raise awareness of stalking, how to report it and the support services available.
DCI Hannah added: “Anyone can fall victim to stalking and we would encourage anyone who is concerned about stalking and harassment to report it to the police immediately.”
What is stalking and harassment?
Stalking or harassment is when someone repeatedly behaves in a way that makes you feel scared, distressed or threatened.
Stalking and harassment are very similar offences.
Harassment may include:
- Sending abusive text messages or images.
- Posting abusive messages on social media.
- Neighbour disputes that involve abusive behaviour or damage to property.
- Repeated antisocial behaviour.
- Making unwanted or offensive phone calls.
It is harassment if the unwanted behaviour has happened two times or more and made you feel distressed or threatened.
Stalking is a form of harassment. But the stalker will have an obsession with the person they're targeting and their repeated, unwanted behaviour can make the victim feel distressed or scared.
Stalking may include:
- Following someone.
- Going uninvited to their home.
- Hanging around somewhere they know the person often visits.
- Watching or spying on someone.
- Identity theft (signing-up to services, buying things in someone's name).
- Writing or posting online about someone if it's unwanted or the person doesn't know.
It is stalking if the unwanted behaviour has happened two times or more and made you feel scared, distressed or threatened.
Online stalking or harassment
Online stalking or harassment is when someone monitors, stalks, harasses, threatens, controls or impersonates another person using the internet or other technology.
Online stalking or harassment may include:
- Monitoring someone’s internet use, email or other electronic communication.
- Someone sending you photos of genitals without your permission.
- Getting access to someone's email and social media accounts.
- Spamming and sending viruses.
- Stealing someone's identity.
- Threatening to share private information, photographs, copies of messages.
- Adding tracking software to someone's devices.
Reporting stalking
Call 101 to report stalking in a non-emergency. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
Further advice available here: Stalking and harassment | Cumbria Police