Almost 100 stalking cases recorded in border towns

Tackling stalkers is at the top of the agenda this week as police forces back efforts to raise awareness of the issue.

Since the Protection from Harassment Act was amended in November 2012 to include ‘stalking’, the force has recorded 94 offences.

Now officers have launched a campaign to mark National Stalking Awareness Week from April 16 to 22.

Frontline and specialist staff will be working with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust to develop their skills by visiting victims, offenders, refuges – and running advice stands to raise awareness of stalking and the support available.

This includes the national helpline and more local support for victims and witnesses via Goleudy, a service provided by the Police and Crime Commissioner of Dyfed-Powys.

Stalking is repeated unwanted contact which demonstrates either a fixation or obsession and causes the victim to feel alarm, distress or fear of violence. That contact may also be via telephone, email, letter or social media.

Pattern of behaviours could be as simple as rearranging garden furniture, sending unwanted gifts, loitering on the pavement outside the victim's house or even calling social services to maliciously report ‘poor’ parenting.

Detective Superintendent Anthony Griffiths, force lead for the Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, said: “Stalking can have a huge emotional impact on victims affecting their self-esteem, self-confidence and feelings of safety.

“Statistics show victims may suffer up to 100 incidents before reporting the issue to police and we want victims to know that they can come to police sooner and will be taken seriously. They should never feel they are wasting our time or that they are over-reacting.

“It is also vitally important that our partner agencies, community groups and members of the public recognise the behaviours associated with stalking and know how to get help for victims.”

Those who suspect someone is stalking them should keep a record of what happened as soon as possible while events are still fresh in the mind, tell the police if any neighbours or others witnessed what happened, and report concerns via 101.

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust which runs training courses about personal safety was set up in memory of a 25 year old estate agent who disappeared while meeting at a house in London in 1986.

More details are also available at www.stalkinghelpline.org.