Stalking surge: victims trapped in a decade of fear
A chilling wave of stalking offenses is sweeping across England and Wales, with police records revealing a dramatic surge over the past ten years. The numbers are stark, but they barely scratch the surface of the terror endured by countless victims – a terror amplified by an increasingly digital landscape.
The numbers tell a grim story
Official data paints a sobering picture. Recorded stalking offenses have ballooned from fewer than 3,000 a decade ago to over 135,000 last year. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) reports a record high of 6,790 charges filed in 2024-25, a staggering increase from the 2,305 recorded just a few years prior. While these figures capture the scale of the problem, they underscore a crucial point: stalking isn’t a single incident; it’s a relentless pattern of behavior designed to instill fear and control.
Beyond the headlines: the hidden face of stalking
When stalking makes the news, it’s often framed as a high-profile case – an MP targeted by a stranger, a celebrity hounded by an obsessed fan. But as Hannah Al-Othman, The Guardian’s North of England correspondent, revealed, the reality for most victims is vastly different. The vast majority are stalked by someone they know – frequently, a former partner. This truth, often obscured by sensationalized headlines, highlights the insidious overlap between stalking and domestic abuse.
Technology's darkening role
What’s driving this alarming rise? A confluence of factors is at play. Increased awareness among the public and law enforcement is certainly contributing to more reporting. But the burgeoning role of technology cannot be ignored. As our lives increasingly migrate online, perpetrators have a frightening array of tools at their disposal to track, monitor, and harass their victims. Hidden trackers in cars, smartwatches used to monitor movement, shared cloud accounts exploited for location data – the methods are evolving with alarming speed. Campaigners are raising serious concerns about the use of AI, from deepfakes to sophisticated impersonation, adding another layer of complexity to this already harrowing problem.
The devastating impact
The consequences for victims are profound and life-altering. One woman, speaking anonymously, was forced to uproot her life and move her children after years of relentless stalking by her ex-partner. It’s not merely a disruption of daily life; it’s a constant state of anxiety, a feeling of being perpetually watched, a loss of freedom and security. The psychological toll is immense, often leading to isolation, depression, and a crippling fear for one's safety. Even for high-profile figures like Emily Maitlis, who has endured harassment for over 25 years, the shadow of stalking hangs heavy.
Is the justice system keeping pace?
While there are signs of progress – increased charging rates and a CPS action plan focused on stalking – significant challenges remain. Tech companies, critics argue, have been slow to prioritize user safety, often treating it as an afterthought. Victims frequently report poor communication, inconsistent support, and a frustratingly slow pace through the legal system, allowing the behavior to escalate. The Liberal Democrats' proposal for emergency stalking protection notices, modeled after those used in domestic violence cases, offers a potential avenue for quicker intervention.
As Hannah Al-Othman concludes, “There’s definitely progress, but there’s still a long way to go.”