Stalking Awareness Week 2022

25th April 2022

West Yorkshire’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe OBE, has leant her full support to stalking awareness week, which begins today (25/04).

She has also joined in the latest campaign from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, entitled ‘Bridging the Gap’. Alison said:

“It is incredibly important that we collectively use National Stalking Awareness Week as platform to denounce this behaviour within our society and make clear that it will not be tolerated in any form.

“I have provided my full support to the latest Suzy Lamplugh campaign, ‘Bridging the Gap’, which highlights the vital role that advocates can play between a victim and the criminal justice system.

“It acknowledges just how hard it can be for individuals to navigate police investigations and court hearings, and aims to empower victims by ensuring their voice is at the forefront of a case.

“I have also personally signed a pledge with the charity to increase the number of stalking cases across our region, and I will be working with West Yorkshire Police to achieve this.

“The publication of recent crime statistics has noted increases in stalking related offences locally. Albeit these have been largely influenced by new recording practices, we are monitoring these trends very closely.

“It all aligns to the objectives the Mayor has set in her first Police and Crime Plan for West Yorkshire, in particular, her pledge to place the safety of women and girls at its very heart.

“Together, we are absolutely committed to making a real difference to people’s lives, ensuring our communities remain safe, just and inclusive.”