GLOUCESTERSHIRE Police is supporting National Stalking Awareness Day this Thursday, April 24.

The police will be tweeting information on the day about stalking, its impact and how victims can get support.

Research shows that stalking is far more common than might be thought. One in five women and one in 10 men are stalked at some point in their life and half of stalking victims have started attending work less or stopped going at all.

Stalking is a specific criminal offence in England, Wales and Scotland and stalking behaviour is against the law in Northern Ireland.

Stalking behaviour can include: 

  • Nuisance telephone calls
  • Sending excessive emails
  • Being followed
  • Sending gifts or letters
  • Death threats
  • Monitoring behaviour
  • Making false complaints to employers/police etc
  • Abuse of and through social networking sites
  • Criminal damage
  • Visiting home/place of work
  • Blackmail
  • Physical assault
  • Sexual assault
  • Computer hacking

This year’s theme "Working Without Fear" aims to highlight the devastating impact of stalking in the workplace, particularly as nearly 50 per cent of stalkers will be at the victim’s place of work.

Anybody who is currently or has previously been affected by harassment or stalking can get help via The National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300.

It provides information and guidance on:

  • The law in relation to stalking and harassment in the United Kingdom
  • Reporting stalking or harassment
  • Effective gathering of evidence
  • Ensuring your personal safety and that of your friends and family
  • Practical steps to reduce the risk

If you are in immediate danger you should always call 999.