Bedfordshire Police spotlights response to stalking following national recommendations

Bedfordshire Police has welcomed national conversations on stalking as the force continues to drive outcomes for victims.

This week alone the force secured stalking charges in relation to two separate offences and victims.

Today (Friday) findings from a super-complaint recommended that the national police response for stalking needs to be changed and improved. The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, on behalf of the National Stalking Consortium, made 29 recommendations about the way police respond to reports of stalking, including better partnerships with support services and greater use of Stalking Protection Orders (SPO)

Bedfordshire Police has already implemented dedicated officers who work to tirelessly to support victims of stalking and crackdown on perpetrators. The team reviews all cases where stalking is involved, and ensures victims are given the correct level of support through the investigation.

Since the start of the year, officers from across the force have secured more than 150 charges against individuals and made 215 stalking related arrests.

In Bedfordshire, officers have also doubled the number of Stalking Protection Orders issued since last year.

Last month, the force also secured a significant conviction following an attempted murder incident, in a case which started off with stalking, highlighting the need to continuously raise awareness of the impact of these crime types.

Detective Inspector Paula Bozward, the force’s lead on stalking and harassment, said: “Stalking can be incredibly traumatic for victims and linked to some of the highest harm crimes, including domestic abuse, sexual offences and even murder. It is vital we raise awareness of the early signs to look out for and reporting tools available to help protect victims.

“We have a clear focus in policing to pursue offenders and bring them to justice, as well as significantly support victims.

“We understand people often wait to report stalking until the issue gets worse, but we would encourage anyone to report any incidents as soon as they happen. If someone is contacting you more than once, or they are continuing to contact you after blocking them, this is stalking."

Stalking is described as a pattern of unwanted, fixated and obsessive behaviour which is intrusive.  It can include harassment that amounts to stalking, or stalking that causes fear of violence or serious alarm or distress.

The mnemonic FOUR – Fixated, Obsessive, Unwanted, Repeated – describes stalking behaviour, and this contact can be in person, by gifts, or via social media, email or messaging apps.

Anyone wishing to report any incidents can get in touch with the police on 101 or via Report (bedfordshire.police.uk)

Always call 999 in an emergency.

Alternatively, you can call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.