Stalking surge: tech and awareness fuel record crime spike
A chilling statistic has emerged from England and Wales: police recorded over 135,000 stalking offences last year, a staggering increase from fewer than 3,000 just a decade ago. The data, unearthed by the Liberal Democrats from House of Commons library records, signals a disturbing trend demanding immediate and comprehensive action.
The digital shadow of harassment
While increased awareness undoubtedly plays a role in this surge – more victims are coming forward, and police are better equipped to recognize stalking behaviors – the undeniable truth is that technology has fundamentally altered the landscape of harassment. Perpetrators now wield an arsenal of digital tools to track, monitor, and intimidate their victims, blurring the lines between physical and online abuse.
Consider the numbers: Metropolitan Police recorded 11,798 offences last year, a jump from a mere 647 a decade prior. Greater Manchester Police witnessed an even more dramatic escalation, rising from 96 to a staggering 10,649 over the same period. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is also feeling the strain, with charges related to stalking offenses more than doubling in the last five years, reaching an all-time high of 6,790 in 2024-25.
“As more of our lives are lived online, the way stalkers offend is changing,” a CPS spokesperson acknowledged. The organization recently launched its first stalking action plan, a necessary step to address this evolving threat, partnering with tech and trauma experts to bolster prosecutorial capabilities.
But the problem runs deeper than just online activity. Almost half of those contacting the Suzy Lamplugh Trust helpline report being stalked by an ex-partner, a stark reminder that stalking frequently accompanies domestic abuse and often serves as a precursor to escalating violence. Jo Silver, the interim CEO at SafeLives, underscores this point: “Stalking is often part of domestic abuse, especially after a relationship has ended, and it can be a clear warning sign that risk is escalating.”
The rise in reported offenses doesn't necessarily indicate an increase in actual stalking, but rather a shift in recognition and reporting. Behaviors once categorized differently are now being accurately identified as stalking. The critical question now isn’t just about counting cases, but ensuring the response keeps pace with the evolving nature of the crime. As Silver rightly observes, “Stalking needs to be understood as part of a pattern of coercive and controlling behavior.”
The Liberal Democrats are pushing for emergency stalking protection notices, mirroring measures used in domestic abuse cases, granting police the power to intervene swiftly. However, Marie Goldman, the party’s women and equalities spokesperson, emphasizes that this is just one piece of a larger puzzle, requiring “independent stalking advocates, domestic abuse services, and specialist victim support organizations” working in concert.
The chilling reality is that stalking causes immeasurable damage, impacting mental and physical health, leaving victims and their families living in constant fear. The National Police Chiefs’ Council recognizes this, calling for a system that “protects victims at the earliest opportunity” and acknowledges the complex nature of perpetrators’ behavior, stressing the need for prevention and early intervention. The increased public awareness, coupled with improved police response, is a step in the right direction, but only a first step.
The numbers speak for themselves: a dramatic rise fueled by technology and a growing recognition of the insidious nature of stalking. The challenge now is not just to record these offenses, but to dismantle the systems that allow them to flourish. The era of dismissing stalking as a mere nuisance is over. The stakes are far too high.