Stalking – Protection Can Start Early (amendment*)

This week, 20-27 April, is National Stalking Awareness Week and Suffolk Constabulary is highlighting a civil order that police can apply for, even before a charge, that is designed to protect victims and manage perpetrators.

A Stalking Protection Order, known as an SPO, can be applied for by police even when there isn’t yet enough evidence for criminal charges, and without the victim needing to attend court.

There are two types of SPOs:

Once granted, a Stalking Protection Order can stop someone from contacting you, turning up at places you go, posting about you online, or recording you.

An SPO can also require the person to hand over devices, provide passwords, attend assessments or programmes, and report to police.

Most importantly, conditions are tailored to each victim.

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.

“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.”

In the 12 months up to 1 April 2026, Suffolk police applied for 30 Stalking Protection Orders to court. Of these, 24 were full orders, four were interim order and two remain pending a court hearing.

In 25% of these cases, the perpetrator was not known to the victim.

Earlier this month, a 56-year-old man from Lowestoft was handed a full Stalking Protection Order for three and a half years, after stalking behaviour towards two women were reported to police.

The woman, whilst known to each other, are not known to the man.

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

He was first arrested in October 2025, and interim orders were imposed in early March 2026 before this was revised to a full SPO.

Whilst no criminal charges have been made at this time, the court has deemed it necessary to impose restrictions preventing the man from contacting or approaching the women directly, or indirectly.

PC Dobson adds: “This case demonstrates the typical FOUR behaviours of stalking, which should be recorded and reported to police before they escalate further. These are:

Fixated

Obsessed

Unwanted

Repeated

“Breaching a Stalking Protection Order can lead to arrest and up to five years in prison.

“We take all reports of stalking incredibly seriously and our priority is to protect victims from harm.

“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. This includes the National Stalking Helpline, which is 0802 802030.

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

Social media and the internet are also often used for stalking, and cyber stalking or online threats can be just as intimidating. If you are affected by cyber stalking, you can get more information and safety tips from Get Safe Online or please visit Support for victims and witnesses of stalking or harassment | Suffolk Constabulary

For more information about stalking and the National Stalking Helpline, visit: https://www.suzylamplugh.org/

(addition to original message)

Tim Passmore, Police and 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. 

“As PCC I commission services to support victims and this include victims of staking 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.”