Stalking support service extended by two more years

Specialist support for stalking victims has been extended for two more years after more than 270 people sought help in the past twelve months.

The Thames Valley Stalking Service aides victims of stalking in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes.

Since 2023, it has offered free emotional and practical support delivered by feminist-led charity, Aurora New Dawn, in partnership with victim support service, Victims First.

Other stalking support charities are calling for longer term funding with some criminal cases taking more than two years to come to court.

Between 1 March 2025 and 31 March 2026, the service helped 274 victims of stalking in the Thames Valley area.

Support includes help with recording evidence, guidance through police and court processes, coordination with police, justice, housing and health services, and assistance in applying for legal protections such as Stalking Protection Orders.

Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, confirmed it had received a £350,000 two-year funding extension.

Barber said: "Stalking is a psychological as well as a physical crime and has a devastating impact on victims and their feelings of safety. Many victims live with heightened anxiety, fear and stress in addition to feeling forced to change their daily routines and places they visit."

He said the service helps victims to "regain their confidence" and "rebuild their lives".

The investment comes as national stalking charity, the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, has warned that stalking was being overlooked as a contributing factor in cases of homicide and suicide.

"We're concerned that the scale of stalking is not being taken seriously enough," said Saskia Garner, head of policy and campaigns for the trust.

In reaction to the extension of the Thames Valley service, she said it was "fantastic news".

She added: "We do need that funding to be much longer term, not just restricted to two years. I mean some court cases are being scheduled for two years from now so we need that long-term support for victims.

"We cannot underestimate the importance of frontline stalking services."

Stalking is a pattern of fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated behaviour that makes another person feel frightened, intimidated or unsafe.

Common behaviours include following, persistent phone calls, text messages and online messages.

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