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The signs of stalking – a neighbourhood alert distributed by Durham Constabulary

Stalking

This neighbourhood alert has been circulated by Durham constabulary and gives some useful information about how to watch out for stalking behaviour.

Remember F.O.U.R: If someone’s behaviour towards you is fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated, it’s likely they are stalking you.

Here are some examples:

FIXATED:
Being followed on your daily routine, spied on, or being watched by someone loitering around your work or home.

OBSESSION:
Being monitored on or offline, cyberstalkinng, the ordering and cancelling of items on your behalf.

UNWANTED ATTENTION:
Gifts being sent or left for you; unwanted messages, letters or phone calls. Even damage or graffiti being caused to your property.

REPEATED BEHAVIOUR:
This can be any nuisance or threatening behaviour, being approached, accosted or bullied repeatedly.

Stalking behaviours can include but are not limited to:
– Following, surveillance, spying.
– Standing, loitering around your home, school, place of work etc.
– Verbal abuse or public humiliation.
– Threats/violence against you, your family, friends or pets.
– Physical violence, sexual assault, rape, murder.
– Unwanted mail, postcards, photographs and gifts.
– Repeatedly texting/emailing/leaving voicemails.
– Planting spyware viruses into your computer.
– Hacking into your computer, email, cameras and social media accounts.
– “Befriending” your friends and/or family to get closer to them and you.
– Spreading rumours, discrediting you as a person.
– Breaking into your car, home or office and/or damaging property.
– Cyber stalking, bullying and identity theft.

These behaviours are warning signs. If you’re being stalked, seek help now. You are not alone, the below charities can offer advice about stalking.

The National Stalking Helpline: is run by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.
www.suzylamplugh.org
0808 802 0300

Paladin: is a trauma-informed service established to help high risk victims of stalking in England and Wales.
www.paladinservice.co.uk
020 3866 4107

In an emergency, always call 999.

Message Sent By
Lesley Hunter (Police, Partnerships , HQ)