“Stalking has a devastating impact on victims and it’s imperative that we deal with the behaviour early on to both safeguard victims and stop perpetrators from continuing and escalating in offending.

“We introduced stalking champions in 2018 and currently have 34 across the Force who have received enhanced training in order to offer support and guidance. They have played a vital role in informing our training process, which mandates training about stalking for all new officers and includes regular refresher training for all front-line roles.

“We are a small force and apply for a high number of Stalking Protection Orders relative to our size, with the number rising year-on-year. While we know there is more to do, we achieved a 50% increase in solved outcomes between November 2021 and this month compared to the year between November 2020 and 2021.

“Stalking requires us to work together with other agencies to ensure early and effective intervention. In recognition of this, we hold monthly meetings with senior and specialist officers and partner agencies to review how we can progress ongoing cases, ensuring that the judicial process is aligned, from supporting victims to ensuring evidence is being gathered effectively to secure charges from the CPS. In addition, our contact centre operators and force control room team have completed training to ensure they recognise cases of stalking and deploy officers to them at the earliest opportunity.

“Although progress has been made, we are committed to holding our processes to the highest standard right across the board and will continue to work hard to address this most traumatic of crimes. We want people who come to us to report that they’ve been a victim of stalking to know that we will listen, we will understand, and we will help. Please report to us on our website, through a private message on any of our social channels, or by phoning 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.”