THE number of prosecutions against stalking crimes in Cumbria reached a record high last year, new figures have shown.

Recent figures from the Ministry of Justice show 32 offences – including breaches of stalking orders and racially or religiously motivated stalking – were prosecuted against in the county.

This was a significant increase from 19 prosecutions the year before, and the highest since records began in 2010.

Of the prosecutions in Cumbria, 21 resulted in a court sentence, including four custodial.

Separately, Cumbria Constabulary recorded 4,600 stalking and harassment crimes in the year to March – down from 5,800 the year before.

Police forces across England and Wales also recorded a 10% decline in stalking and harassment crimes, with 637,700 reported cases in 2023-24.

The research comes as the Independent Office for Police Conduct called on police forces to take urgent action to improve the way they handle reports of stalking and how they deal with victims.

Across England and Wales last year, figures show there was a 27 per cent increase with 3,166 recorded prosecutions of stalking offences.

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said: “Stalking consumes a victim’s world; they are forced to change their daily routines and often are left in fear of their life.

“The CPS does not underestimate the devastating impact this has on victims.

“We are continuing to work closely with police to build a picture of a suspect’s manipulative behaviour and actions to present a robust case in court while utilising protective orders to safeguard victims from repeat offending.”

The recent Crime Survey for England and Wales by the Office for National Statistics showed around one in seven people aged 16 years and older have been a victim of stalking at least once.

It found women and young people were more likely to be a victim.

Responding to the IOPC report, Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips said: "Behind the findings in this report are heart-breaking testimonies from victims. Stalking is an insidious crime that can leave survivors traumatised."

She added the Government is "actively considering" the recommendations in the report, looking at how it can work with the police to overhaul the response to this crime and "put more perpetrators behind bars".