How these simple signs could indicate stalking

A hard-hitting Nottinghamshire Police video is helping improve the public’s recognition of the signs of stalking as part of National Stalking Awareness Week.

Throughout this week, the force has published a series of cryptic social media posts where all is not as it seems.

They have each demonstrated different types of menacing behaviour that may at first appear innocuous but could indicate stalking.

National Stalking Awareness Week, organised by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, runs from April 20 to 26 and this year highlights the critical link between stalking and homicide.

Stalking is a pattern of fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated behaviour. It is a serious and high-harm crime that can cause significant fear and distress and can quickly escalate if not recognised.

The video, narrated by a man and woman, shows the victims receiving unwanted text messages and phone calls, being followed to work and in public, unwanted gifts appearing on the doorstep, a tracking device, and bank payments being used for reference messages.

It is later revealed to the camera by an officer that the behaviour actually indicates a sinister pattern of stalking.

Stalking does not discriminate and affects both men and women.

In Nottinghamshire, stalking demand continues to increase and the force has issued 134 Stalking Protection Orders to date since they were introduced in January 2020.

Stalking Protection Orders (SPO) are a civil order that imposes restrictions on the behaviour of an offender that a court deems necessary to protect an individual from harm.

This can include prohibiting an offender from contacting a victim by any means, visiting their home or workplace, or posting about them on social media.

Breaching a SPO is an arrestable criminal offence and can carry a sentence of five years’ imprisonment.

More broadly, stalking is firmly recognised within the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) agenda, which was declared a national threat in 2024.

The signs of stalking are often varied and, when standalone, may not initially appear harmful; however, the sinister nature is revealed as part of a fixated and unwanted pattern.

Victims can be known to an offender – a former partner, friend, neighbour, work colleague, or a total stranger.

Signs of stalking can include:

• Following a person in public or to work
• Attempting to contact a person – repeated texts, social media messages, phone calls, or emails
• Receiving small bank payments where references are used as messages
• Damage to a person’s property
• Monitoring a person’s use of the internet or electronic communication
• Receiving unwanted gifts and presents
• Publishing a statement or other material to tarnish a person’s reputation
• Interfering with a person’s property, such as moving garden ornaments or leaving gates open
• Any form of overt or covert surveillance, such as tracking devices
• Threats to harm a person
• Showing up unannounced at home, work, school, or other public places
• Seeking employment at the same job

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Wood, Nottinghamshire Police’s strategic stalking lead, said: “We really want to improve the public’s understanding and perception of what stalking is.

“It’s important to recognise that just because the behaviour might initially seem like a minor or harmless act, it doesn’t make it any less relevant if it is part of a pattern of unwanted behaviour.

“We want people to be more aware of the types of actions we have highlighted so that they feel confident to report it to us sooner, so that officers can act before anything can escalate.

“Having a stalker is not glamorous. It’s sinister behaviour that creeps into the lives of victims, leaving them in fear and distress.

“The depictions in film and TV are often far removed from the reality of harm, but that unfortunately leaves a misleading impression that it’s not as serious as other crimes.

“It’s important to clarify that stalking is not always romantic and their intentions are not always clear. It could, for instance, be someone you know – a former partner, friend, neighbour, work colleague – or a total stranger.

“We want the public to be more aware of the practical reality of stalking, that they may not otherwise recognise, and that, in the context of a repeated pattern of behaviour, amounts to stalking.

“If you are experiencing stalking or recognise some of the behaviour we have highlighted, then support is available. Reporting your concerns early can help prevent escalation and protect those most at risk.”

Support is available

If you think you are a victim of stalking, please call Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.

If you are in immediate danger, always dial 999 and speak with a call handler.

If you are not able to talk when you need urgent police help, the Silent Solution service is available.

After dialling, listen to the questions from the call handler and respond by coughing or tapping your device, if you can. If prompted, press 55 to let the call handler know it is a genuine emergency and you will be connected to the police.

Help and support are available from other agencies, including the National Stalking Helpline, which is run by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust on 0808 802 0300.

The Stalking Advocacy Service is available to support victims with assessing risk, creating safety plans, civil legal interventions, and signposting to counselling and other services.

You can self-refer to the Stalking Advocacy Service for support, advice, and safety planning by calling the women’s helpline on 0115 947 6490 or the men’s helpline on 0115 960 5556.