10 per cent of West Midlands stalking cases reported in Black Country borough

Around ten per cent of stalking and harassment cases reported to West Midlands Police were in Walsall, new data has shown.

The Safer Walsall Partnership (SWG) including Walsall Council and the force said the data also shows that while reports were highest coming from the borough, the number of reports were falling. The figures relate to the period April 1, 2025 to March 11, 2026.

Despite some reductions officers have found that stalking and harassment remain under reported, meaning the true scale was likely to be higher. Around two-thirds of harassment victims are women, and approximately 75 per cent of stalking victims are female.

The partnership said recorded harassment offences against women have been decreasing at a greater rate, although reductions in Walsall have been smaller than across the wider police force area. Recorded stalking offences have been decreasing at a faster rate than harassment overall, though the reduction in Walsall is lower than elsewhere in the region. Stalking offences involving female victims have been reducing by a greater rate than harassment overall.

Paul Gordon, Director of Resilient Communities at Walsall Council, said: “Stalking and harassment can have a profound and lasting impact on victims. The data shows that women are disproportionately affected locally.

“Agencies across Walsall continue to work together to identify risks, support victims and respond to these offences. Anyone experiencing persistent, unwanted behaviour is encouraged to seek help, speak up and report it.”

DCI Dez Lambert, Crime Manager for West Midlands Police in the Walsall local policing area, added: “Harassment and stalking are criminal offences, and there are no circumstances where this behaviour is acceptable.

“Police use a range of approaches to investigate and resolve stalking and harassment crimes including out of court interventions, prosecutions, and court orders, such as, domestic violence protection orders and harassment protection orders.”

“Over the winter months, West Midlands Police increased our patrols during the darker nights, targeting areas where there was a heightened risk of offending or vulnerability. This year, we remain committed to continuing this vital work.”

To address the issue the council is highlighting the support available locally to all residents by marking National Stalking Awareness Week (NSAW) which is running until April 24.

Stalking is a criminal offence and is defined as a pattern of fixated and obsessive behaviour that is repeated, persistent, intrusive and causes fear of violence or engenders alarm and distress in the victim.

Anyone affected by stalking or harassment can get advice and support from:

• Walsall Council - https://go.walsall.gov.uk/children-and-young-people/early-help/early-help-parents/domestic-violence-abuse
• Black Country Women’s Aid - https://blackcountrywomensaid.co.uk/services/stalking-harassment
• West Midlands Police - https://www.westmidlands.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/beta-stalking-and-harassment/what-to-do-if-youre-being-stalked-or-harassed
• Suzy Lamplugh Trust - https://www.suzylamplugh.org/what-is-stalking
• Alice Ruggles Trust - https://alicerugglestrust.org/advice
• Victim Support - https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/crime-info/types-crime/stalking-and-harassment