Hull is among the worst local authority areas in England and Wales for stalking and harassment reported crimes.
In the 12 months to September 2024, police forces recorded more than 600,000 crimes of stalking and harassment, according to ONS-compiled data from police force and community safety partnership areas.
Hull ranked second in England and Wales, with 5,754 reported stalking or harassment offences, working out at one in 47 people being stalked or harassed.
Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Jonathan Evison (Conservative) said any report of stalking or harassment is a cause for concern, but the figures showed “more victims are finding the confidence to come forward”.
Stalking is defined as two or more incidents causing distress, fear, or alarm. That could include receiving an obscene or threatening message or phone call, having obscene or threatening information about you placed on the internet, being followed or watched, or someone loitering around your home or workplace.
The East Riding ranked 117th, with 3,612 reported crimes – one in every 96.
Younger people – particularly younger women and girls – are more likely to be victimised. The latest data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales estimates that one in five women and one in 11 men aged 16 and over have been a victim of stalking. Research from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust – the charity set up after the disappearance of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh in 1986, who is believed to have been murdered by a stalker – shows that 95 per cent of victims say stalking has impacted their psychological and mental health.
Humberside PCC Mr Evison said of the latest stalking and harassment reported crime figures: “Whilst any report of stalking or harassment is a cause for concern, the latest figures indicate that more victims are finding the confidence to come forward, knowing they will be listened to and taken seriously. We have worked hard with the police and partners to improve the way stalking and harassment is identified and recorded, and that is reflected in these figures.
“Acknowledging of course that victims of this crime may also be male, our data suggests that women suffer disproportionally. As part of our commitment to tackling these issues, we have recently established a new Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Scrutiny Panel. This brings together professionals and community members to examine how cases are handled and where improvements can be made.
“I am determined to continue to improve the support for victims. Anyone who has been affected by crime can get help by visiting www.affectedbycrime.com or by calling 08003687586.”
As part of National Stalking Awareness Week, Humberside Police earlier this week urged victims to come forward, and revealed there are 49 Stalking Protection Orders in place across the force’s area. The longest of these is in place for ten years. Chief Inspector Nicola Roworth, from Humberside Police’s Safeguarding Governance Unit, is also the force’s stalking lead.
She stated: “We understand how difficult it is to come forward, but behaviours of this nature should not be ignored. If at any point you feel distress or fear, you must record and report it to us. You can call our non-emergency number 101 or always call 999 if you are in immediate danger.”
By: Ivan Morris Poxton, LDRS
Credit: Reach Data Unit / Richard Ault / Suzie Lamplugh Trust
