The Ministry of Justice has issued statutory guidance for independent stalking advocate caseworkers (ISACs) to make sure all ISACs meet new legal requirements and match up to best practice.
Mr Storey said: “Stalking is a crime which slowly creeps into virtually every area of a victim’s life, causing massive amounts of damage.
“That’s why it’s important that all victims get the best possible help and support is not dictated by a postcode lottery.”
Four characteristics define stalking behaviour: Fixated, Obsessive, Unwanted, Repeated.
Since 2023, the PCC’s office has funded two specialist stalking advocates employed by the national charity The Suzy Lamplugh Trust.
Previously, no specialist advocacy was available for victims of stalking, unless the stalking was a feature of broader domestic abuse.
ISAC services were introduced due to the scale of stalking and harassment offences in the Cleveland Police force area.
Stalking and harassment offences in Cleveland have fallen steadily over the past year.
In the year to the end of September 2025, there was a 13 per cent fall in the number of incidents compared to the previous quarter.
Figures have been falling every quarter for the past year.
If you – or anyone you know – has been affected by stalking, go to the Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner’s website.
