Stalking Awareness: Signposting how to get help

Stalking and harassment are serious crimes which can have a devastating impact – not only on those who are subjected to it but also their friends and family.

It is also something that is experienced by one in five women and one in ten men.

Did you know, stalking can be identified by a pattern of FOUR? This stands for fixated, obsessed, unwanted and repeated. Any persistent, unwanted contact that causes distress is stalking and is unacceptable.

This behaviour can be in person, such as visiting a home address or work, following someone, or leaving gifts. It can also be online, including unwanted texts, calls, emails and can also look like hacking and planting spyware.

It could be someone you know, or someone you don’t. In any case, if you are stalked, it is NEVER your fault.

This stalking awareness week, we want to make sure you know what can be done when it comes to stalking.

If you believe you are being stalked, the main thing is that you speak to someone straight away. To talk to us about stalking, you can contact us on the following:

Call 101 – or if you are in immediate danger, always call 999.

Online - How to report stalking or harassment | Derbyshire Constabulary.

If you are not ready to speak to us – that’s ok. The National Stalking Helpline is there and can offer support and advice. The National Stalking helpline is open from 9.30am-8pm Monday and Wednesday, and from 9.30-4pm Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Detective Chief Inspector Darren Pope from Derbyshire Constabulary said: “We know how complex and unique incidents of stalking are, and how much of an impact they can have on the victim.

“Being followed and stalked makes you feel unsafe everywhere, even in your own home. You feel like you constantly have to be on guard and that you never know what might be around the corner. It creates such anxiety that you can never relax.

“It is an absolutely awful feeling and no one should have to have to live with that. That is one of the many reasons why, as a force, we are constantly working to improve our service for stalking victims.

“We have a dedicated Stalking Coordinator, who supports and enhances risk assessment processes, safeguarding activity and the investigation into stalking offences.  

“We also have a dedicated stalking reporting form online and are also constantly working with partners to review how we can work better across agencies to identify offences, manage offenders, safeguard victims and progress investigations.

“Anyone who thinks they are being stalked should speak to someone and report this straight away – whether that’s speaking to us or services like the National Stalking Helpline. Rest assured, if you report stalking to us you will absolutely be listened to.”

We’ll also be sharing details of some of our partner support organisations, such as the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.

There will also be further details on a number of personal safety tools and apps which you may find useful – such as Hollie Guard.