Prosecutors’ “hard work and determination” is reflected in new figures showing stalking charges have reached a record high, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has said.
New data released by the CPS reveals there were 8,561 charges for stalking offences between April 2025 and March 2026, but the organisation says the rise is likely to reflect an increase in public awareness of stalking as a crime and greater understanding of stalking behaviors by police and prosecutors.
As reports of stalking and harassment continue to rise, police and prosecutors continue to work closely to identify patterns of offending to build robust cases against perpetrators, the CPS explained.
Last week, the government held its first national multi-agency stalking conference, bringing together the CPS, National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the Home Office as part of a “coordinated drive to strengthen the criminal justice system’s response to stalking”.
It is hoped the conference will provide a better understanding of the risk stalking presents to victims and bring more offenders to justice.
Olivia Rose, CPS national stalking lead, said: “Stalking is a terrifying and deeply intrusive crime, whether it happens in person or online. It can leave victims living in fear, feeling isolated as though there is no escape from the shadow of someone else’s behaviour.
“Stalkers have more avenues to offend than ever before with technological advancements, but the record level of offences charged shows that our prosecutors are continuing to drive up the number of charges to deliver justice for more victims.
“Victims and survivors must be at the centre of everything we do.
“By bringing together survivors, practitioners and experts, we can strengthen our approach to these terrible crimes and hold more offenders to account.”
In March, the CPS launched its first Stalking Action Plan, setting out how prosecutors are being equipped to respond to stalking in a digital age.
This includes closer working with tech experts, specialist training for prosecutors to better identify stalking behaviours and how they overlap with other offences, and the introduction of a stalking data flag to track cases through the criminal justice system.
Meanwhile in August, the Home Office announced a £13 million investment in specialist Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Protection Order Teams across up to ten police forces in England and Wales.
The teams will strengthen the use and enforcement of protection orders, including Stalking Protection Orders, helping to better protect victims, improve offender management and prevent further harm.
Police continue to drive a consistent approach to stalking across forces.
The Home Office is exploring the recommendations made by Richard Wright KC following his independent review of the stalking legislation.
Attorney General Ellie Reeves KC MP said: “In my role superintending the CPS, I have seen first-hand the progress prosecutors have made in recognising and pursuing stalking, and these figures reflect that hard work and dedication.
“However, justice for victims depends on more than prosecution alone. That is why government, police, charities and the CPS are working together to tackle stalking at every stage, so that all victims and survivors get the support they deserve.”
By strengthening the collective response to stalking, the criminal justice system can build victims’ confidence to come forward, improve support for those affected, and see more offenders brought to justice.
This work will help contribute towards the government’s pledge to halve violence against women and girls in the next decade.
