Increase in recorded stalking cases shows 'growing awareness and trust', says Thames Valley Police

Thames Valley Police has said a sharp increase in the number of recorded stalking cases in East Berkshire over the past three years shows a 'growing awareness and trust'.

The force’s crime statistics covering January to December 2025 show a rise in reported incidents of stalking in East Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and the wider Thames Valley area.

In East Berkshire, recorded stalking offences rose by 21.2 per cent, from 768 in the same period in 2024 to 931 last year. The number of recorded stalking offences stood at 654 in 2023.

There were 79 positive outcomes (such as cautions or charges) from 931 stalking offences recorded in 2025.

This is a positive outcome rate of 8.49 per cent. 

Buckinghamshire saw a smaller increase in recorded stalking offences at 9.8 per cent, with offences rising from 763 in 2024 to 838 last year.

But the county saw a sharp increase in resolution rates last year, which has outpaced the rise in the number of stalking crimes recorded during the same period.

Last year, there were 93 positive outcomes from 838 recorded stalking offences.

This represents a positive outcome rate of 11.10 per cent. 

Across the entire Thames Valley region, the number of reported stalking offences rose by 20.2 per cent from the previous year of January to December 2024, going from 3,890 reports in 2024 to 4,785 in 2025.

There was an 8.40 per cent positive outcome rate last year, with 402 positive outcomes from 4,785 recorded stalking offences last year.

Overall, recorded stalking offences across the Thames Valley rose more than three times faster than positive outcomes achieved between 2024 and 2025. 

Thames Valley Police said stalking is an ‘underreported crime’ and that increased reporting suggests that there is ‘growing awareness and trust’ in the support that is available.

A spokesperson for the force said: “We recognise the rise in recorded stalking offences, and we welcome it as an indication that more victims have the confidence to come forward and seek help.

“Stalking is an underreported crime, and increased reporting suggests growing awareness and trust in the support available.

“Over the past year, Thames Valley Police has continued to secure Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs).

“These orders place strict conditions on perpetrators and provide an additional layer of safeguarding for victims. they are proactively managed by our Harm Reduction Teams to identify breaches and prevent further offending at the earliest opportunity. 

“We take all reports of stalking extremely seriously.

“If anyone believes they are experiencing stalking or harassment, we urge them to contact us.

“In an emergency, always call 999.

“For non-emergencies, you can call 101 or report online via our dedicated page: https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/ro/report/stalking-harassment-beta/v1/report-stalking-harassment/

“We also encourage the public to follow and use our It Does Matter campaign, where people can report non-contact sexual offences and find further support and information: https://www.itdoesmatter.org.uk/

“Victims deserve to be heard, believed, and protected – and we will continue to take action to hold offenders to account.”