Three in four Suffolk stalking victims targeted by someone they know, police say

Why it matters: Stalking is often imagined as a stranger crime, but Suffolk Constabulary's figures suggest the majority of victims are targeted by someone already in their life – and the force is highlighting a civil order designed to protect them before criminal charges are brought.

By the numbers: In the 12 months up to 1 April 2026, Suffolk Police applied to court for 30 Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs).

• 24 were full orders
• Four were interim orders
• Two remain pending a court hearing
• In 75% of cases, the perpetrator was known to the victim

The details: An SPO is a civil order that police can apply for even when there is not yet enough evidence for criminal charges, and without the victim needing to attend court.

There are two types. An interim SPO provides immediate, temporary protection before a court has reviewed all evidence. A full SPO, granted once a court has assessed the evidence, lasts at least two years.

Once granted, an SPO can stop someone from contacting the victim, turning up at places they go, posting about them online or recording them. It can also require the person to hand over devices, provide passwords, attend assessments or programmes and report to police.

What they're saying: PC Clare Dobson, Suffolk Constabulary's point of contact for SPOs, said: "SPOs are used to help address stalking behaviour before it escalates, and to protect victims from more serious harm.

"They provide more specific protection than a restraining order, which can only be applied for after prosecution – which would only prevent someone from contacting you or visiting certain locations. A SPO has stronger parameters."

She added: "Stalking is a really frightening offence and it can also be very dangerous, as this behaviour can escalate and blur itself into other offences.

"Perpetrators of stalking can be a current or former partner, an acquaintance, a work colleague, or a complete stranger so the escalation can include manipulating and isolating a person by coercive and controlling behaviour, threats of violence, and sexual or violent assaults where victims can be at risk of serious harm."

Tim Passmore, Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk, said: "Stalking is a very frightening and distressing crime. I am reassured that Suffolk Constabulary takes all reports of stalking and harassment very seriously and I welcome the use of stalking protection orders to protect victims.

"I would urge anyone suffering from persistent and unwanted attention of this kind to contact the police immediately. It's not something that you should have to live with, and it's important that victims know there is help available."

He added: "As PCC I commission services to support victims and this include victims of stalking and harassment. In partnership with my counterpart in Norfolk, we fund Norfolk and Suffolk Victim Care to offer support and advice and they are available via their website or on 0300 303 3706, alternatively contact the National Stalking Helpline."

A recent case: Earlier this month, a 56-year-old man from Lowestoft was handed a full SPO for three and a half years after stalking behaviour towards two women was reported to police. The women, though known to each other, are not known to the man.

The behaviour included emails and social media messages across multiple platforms, reported surveillance of the women and sending unwanted gifts, according to the force.

The man was first arrested in October 2025, with interim orders imposed in early March 2026 before being revised to a full SPO. Although no criminal charges have been brought, the court deemed it necessary to impose restrictions preventing him from contacting or approaching the women directly or indirectly.

The FOUR signs: PC Dobson said the case demonstrated the four typical behaviours of stalking, which she urged the public to record and report before they escalate:

• Fixated
• Obsessed
• Unwanted
• Repeated

"Breaching a Stalking Protection Order can lead to arrest and up to five years in prison," she said. "We take all reports of stalking incredibly seriously and our priority is to protect victims from harm."

For context: National Stalking Awareness Week runs from 20 to 27 April. Suffolk Constabulary says social media and the internet are often used for stalking, and that cyber stalking or online threats can be just as intimidating.

PC Dobson added: "We understand that not everyone has the confidence to speak to police right away. There are support services, independent of the police, that can help you if you've been a victim of stalking.

"Whatever you do, do not let stalking or harassing behaviour continue."

The bottom line: Suffolk Constabulary's figures show that stalking is not confined to people known to the victim, and the force is pointing to Stalking Protection Orders as a tool to intervene before behaviour escalates into more serious harm.

Victims of stalking can contact Norfolk and Suffolk Victim Care on 0300 303 3706 or the National Stalking Helpline on 0802 802030. More information is available at suzylamplugh.org.

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