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Bedfordshire Police urge victims to come forward after using new powers to stop stalker Bedford News

Victims of stalking are urged to report any predatory behavior during Stalking Awareness Week, as Bedfordshire Police reverse issuing their first Stalking Protection Order in February this year.

A Luton man received the first Protection Against Hunting Order (SPO), after repeatedly visiting the victim’s home address for a period of five months and repeatedly attempting to contact her, even after having been asked to stop.

He had developed a fixation for the victim even though he didn’t even know her name and in August of last year he called the police saying he was concerned about the woman’s well-being while ‘she wasn’t picking up the phone.

A Luton man received the county's first stalking protection order in February
A Luton man received the county’s first stalking protection order in February

When officers came her behavior aroused suspicion and when they made contact with the woman, she confirmed that she was safe and that the man was continually contacting her against her will.

It was issued with the SPO for 10 years. Failure to comply with his order may result in arrest and imprisonment. Similar to a Domestic Violence Protection Order, an MSDS is an early intervention tool for police to address harassing behavior before it escalates.

Detective Inspector Katherine Rivers, responsible for harassment and harassment, said: ‘This is the first Criminal Harassment Protection Order (SPO) of the Bedfordshire Police since the legislation came into force l last year and provides interim protection to anyone who believes they are the target of stalking behavior. .

“Such obsessive and often disturbing behavior can have an extremely negative impact on the victim and lead to severe and lasting trauma.”

To report criminal harassment, call the police on 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.

Or for advice and assistance, you can call the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300 or the National Stalking Advocacy on 0203 866 4107.

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Source: www.bedfordtoday.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-04-20 16:44:25