Do you know that stalking is a criminal offence?
This is a message from Neighbourhood Alert Information sent on behalf of Nottinghamshire Police
Message sent by
Jason Crofts (Police, PC 1146, West Bassetlaw, East Bassetlaw & Sherwood)
The theme of this year’s National Stalking Awareness Day (18 April) is: Know the law, use the law.
It follows amendments to the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 which made stalking an offence.
The changes were made on 25 November 2012 and created the new offences of ‘stalking’ and ‘stalking that causes serious distress or fear of violence’. Serious distress is viewed as behaviour which has a substantial adverse effect on the victim’s day-to-day activity.
It is hoped that the new law will help to differentiate between harassment, which can be distressing behaviour, and stalking, where the perpetrator has a fixed obsession with the victim along with harassment.
Using national guidelines Nottinghamshire Police identifies victims and shares the information provided by victims with other agencies so that the risk to them can be managed effectively. The Force can also help advise on personal safety.
It is not necessary to warn the stalker in the first instance or give them words of advice. Harassment is a crime which is best tackled through prosecution and officers will support victims through this.
Superintendent Helen Chamberlain, Head of Public Protection at Nottinghamshire Police said: “Stalking is a frightening experience which can leave victims unsure of who to trust and worried about whether the situation will escalate.
“We take the issue very seriously and put everything we can in place to ensure the safety of anyone who is being put through this type of invasive and traumatising experience.”
To report stalking contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101.
Contact the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 8020 300.