A recently released map highlights the regions with the highest incidences of reported stalking crimes, allowing individuals to track occurrences in their local areas. According to data analyzed by the Liberal Democrats from the House of Commons Library, there were over 135,000 stalking offenses recorded by police in England and Wales last year, marking a significant 4,600% surge from nearly 3,000 cases a decade ago.
Noteworthy spikes in stalking incidents were observed across all regions of England and Wales, with some of the largest police forces experiencing a surge in offenses. For instance, the Metropolitan Police saw a jump from 647 cases to 11,798 in the past ten years, while Greater Manchester Police reported an increase from 96 to 10,649 during the same period.
During Stalking Awareness Week, activists from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust issued warnings that stalking offenses are persistently overlooked despite longstanding evidence linking them to murders and suicides.
The map indicates the locations with the highest stalking crime rates, with Blackpool topping the list. In the seaside town, 1,016 stalking crimes were recorded last year, translating to a rate of 7.2 offenses per 1,000 residents in Blackpool. Crime rates, calculated by dividing the number of crimes by the population size, offer a fair comparison of offenses across areas of varying sizes.
Following Blackpool, Gloucester, Hyndburn in Lancashire, Wakefield in West Yorkshire, and Blaenau Gwent in Wales also reported high stalking rates per 1,000 residents. The Mirror has reached out to Lancashire Police for comments.
While stalking affects both men and women, government figures show that approximately 73% of stalking victims are women. Research indicates that over 90% of victims suffer psychological consequences following stalking incidents.
Stalking prevalence varies significantly across different regions, as demonstrated by the data. Leeds recorded the highest number of stalking crimes in the year ending September 2025, followed by Birmingham, Bradford, and Manchester.
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust’s recent report underscores how stalking behaviors are often overlooked before incidents of homicide and suicide. The organization is advocating for the government to establish a process for reviewing stalking-related deaths to glean insights from such tragedies.
Dr. Monckton-Smith, a Public Protection Professor at the University of Gloucestershire, highlights the predictable escalation of stalking behavior leading to severe harm, emphasizing the critical need for early intervention to prevent harm and loss of life.
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust urges urgent systemic changes to prioritize stalking awareness and address its risks effectively. Stalking behaviors should be consistently documented to recognize their role in escalating to fatal harm, as they can potentially evolve into life-threatening situations if not addressed promptly.