New data shows ‘serious’ rise in stalking across Suffolk

The Suffolk domestic abuse charity Anglia Care Trust has said it has seen a 12% rise in victims of stalking using its services in 2024.  

This follows the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reporting a 12% rise in stalking offences across England and Wales in the year ending June 2024.

Amanda Page, operational manager for Anglia Care Trust, said: “Stalking needs to be taken really seriously because people are much more likely to be killed or seriously harmed following stalking offences when their stalker is known to them.

Operational Manager for Anglia Care Trust, Amanda Page (Image: Amanda Page) “The chances of a known perpetrator following through on a threat are incredibly high. You can’t underestimate the fear stalking can cause a victim.”

Ms Page added that social media is often used for harassment but said the problem with blocking a perpetrator online is it can lead to physical stalking and it cuts off the communication evidence trail.  

For anyone fearing they may be stalked she recommended calling the police and remembering an acronym which defines stalking behaviour, four: fixated, obsessed, unwanted and repeated.

The contact page for Anglia Care Trust can be found here.

Ipswich Crown Court Judge Martyn Levett recently spoke of the dangers of harassment and especially online stalking.

Judge Martyn Levett (Image: Newsquest) This came during the sentencing of Mark Wiggett, 37, of Penfold Road, Clacton-on-Sea for stalking and harassing his ex-girlfriend from Ipswich using fake social media and email accounts.

Mark Wiggett was jailed for 40 months at Ipswich Crown Court (Image: Suffolk Police) Before jailing Wiggett for 40 months, Judge Levett said: “Stalking is a complex form of abuse, and it can have a devastating impact on the lives of victims and their families.

“Sadly, it can end in the most tragic circumstances.

“This is why this type of online stalking is treated with the utmost gravity with the maximum sentence being increased to 10 years custody.”

He added: “All this is in recognition of the impact that harassment has on victims, especially women, which is unhappily an everyday reality for some women because it restricts their freedom and impacts their mental health.

“They have a right to feel safe wherever they are and the court will find a route to justice which will help to change the attitudes that make too many perpetrators feel they can harass and torment without consequences.”

A Suffolk Police spokesperson said: “Stalking and harassment are serious crimes and it is key that every police officer knows how to recognise the different risk factors.

“Suffolk Constabulary holds a continuous improvement approach to tackling the issue, which includes specialised training for staff to improve our investigation standards and service delivery, in particular to increase our use of Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs) and Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs) that are designed to prevent offending and protect victims.

“We are also working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to understand the progression of cases before the point of charge, with the aim of identifying opportunities for improved working.

The spokesperson continued: “It is a complex crime to investigate and greater use of social media and digital technology means that offenders now have many additional ways to harass their victims.

“People should be reassured that we take all reports of stalking and harassment extremely seriously and we urge people who are concerned to report this to us and we will do everything we can to support them.

"Stalking can now be reported online on our website. 

“We would absolutely encourage anyone who feels they could be a victim to get in touch with the police or call a dedicated service for support like the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300.”