A recently unveiled map showcases the regions with the highest incidences of reported stalking crimes, allowing individuals to review the occurrences in their vicinity. According to findings from the House of Commons Library analyzed by the Lib-Dems, there was a staggering surge in stalking offenses in England and Wales, surpassing 135,000 incidents last year. This represents a remarkable 4,600% escalation from approximately 3,000 cases a decade ago.
Notable escalations in stalking offenses were documented across all areas of England and Wales, with several major police forces witnessing a surge in criminal activities. For instance, the Metropolitan Police force recorded 11,798 cases last year, a substantial increase from 647 incidents a decade ago. Similarly, Greater Manchester Police observed a rise from 96 to 10,649 offenses during the same timeframe.
During Stalking Awareness Week, campaigners from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust cautioned that stalking offenses are persistently disregarded, despite longstanding evidence linking them to homicides and suicides. The trust emphasizes the critical need for early identification of such behaviors to prevent tragic outcomes.
A detailed map highlights the regions with the highest concentrations of stalking offenses. Notably, Blackpool reported the highest crime rate for stalking incidents, with 1,016 cases recorded last year, equivalent to 7.2 crimes per 1,000 individuals in the area. Crime rates, computed by dividing the number of crimes by the population size, offer a fair comparison of offenses across regions of varying sizes.
Following Blackpool, Gloucester recorded the second-highest stalking rate at 5.4 incidents per 1,000 residents, followed by Hyndburn in Lancashire (5.3), Wakefield in West Yorkshire (5.1), and Blaenau Gwent in Wales (5.0). Both men and women fall victim to stalking, with women comprising nearly three-quarters (73%) of stalking victims, as per recent Government data.
Research indicates that over 90% of stalking victims endure psychological repercussions due to the stalking behavior. The prevalence of stalking varies significantly across different regions, as evidenced by the varying crime rates reported in different parts of England and Wales.
In the year ending September 2025, Leeds recorded the highest number of stalking crimes in England and Wales, with 3,677 incidents, followed by Birmingham (3,382), Bradford (2,633), and Manchester (2,247). The Suzy Lamplugh Trust has urged the government to establish a process for reviewing stalking-related deaths to glean insights from such incidents and prevent future tragedies.
Professor Jane Monckton Smith OBE’s research highlights the predictable escalation of stalking behaviors leading to serious harm, suicides, and homicides. The Trust’s plea for enhanced awareness and intervention aims to avert preventable harm and loss of life associated with stalking incidents.
