Stalking Offences Skyrocket in England and Wales, Driven by Digital Tracking
Police forces across England and Wales have recorded a staggering fiftyfold rise in stalking offences over the past decade, according to new analysis. Experts attribute this surge to increased recognition of the crime and perpetrators leveraging technology to track victims more easily.
Alarming Statistics Highlight National Crisis
Data from the House of Commons library, examined by the Liberal Democrats, shows that more than 135,000 stalking offences were logged last year, a dramatic jump from just under 3,000 a decade ago. Every region in England and Wales experienced significant increases, with major police forces reporting particularly sharp rises.
For instance, the Metropolitan Police recorded 11,798 offences last year, up from 647 ten years ago. Similarly, Greater Manchester Police saw offences escalate from 96 to 10,649 over the same period. At the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the number of offences leading to charges climbed from 2,305 in 2020-21 to 6,790 in 2024-25, marking the highest figure on record.
Experts Point to Technology and Awareness as Key Factors
A CPS spokesperson commented: "Stalking offences charged by the CPS have more than doubled in the last five years and reached an all-time high last year. We know that as more of our lives are lived online, the way stalkers offend is changing. Even when abuse is digital, the harm it causes for victims is very real."
Last month, the CPS introduced its first stalking action plan, aimed at addressing the evolving nature of the offence in the digital era. The plan involves collaboration with technology and trauma experts to equip prosecutors with necessary tools for delivering justice to victims.
Impact on Victims and Calls for Action
Jo Silver, interim CEO at the charity SafeLives, emphasised: "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. Technology is making this even easier. Abuse is evolving, meaning perpetrators can now track, monitor and harass victims in ways that mean abuse does not only exist in physical spaces."
Silver added that the rise in recorded offences likely reflects improved awareness and changes in police recording practices. She stressed the need for a coordinated response, stating: "Stalking needs to be understood as part of a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour, with agencies working together to spot risk early and act quickly."
Political and Police Responses
The Liberal Democrats are advocating for emergency stalking protection notices, similar to those used in domestic abuse cases, to empower police with immediate action capabilities. Marie Goldman, the party's women and equalities spokesperson, declared: "Stalking causes untold damage to the lives of victims and can have a detrimental impact on both the mental and physical health of individuals, leaving them and their loved ones living in constant fear."
A National Police Chiefs' Council spokesperson acknowledged the issue, noting: "Policing and the wider criminal justice system must recognise the damage and harm perpetrators cause and protect victims at the earliest opportunity. This is especially true in a world where new technology is giving perpetrators more opportunities to carry out their offending."
They highlighted that stalking has been historically under-reported, with the current increase partly due to heightened public and police awareness. Efforts include training call handlers to identify stalking early, considering stalking protection orders in all cases, and strengthening the overall criminal justice response in partnership with the Home Office and CPS.
