Rise in online stalking as Suffolk police and charities warn of changing behaviour
Leeway says new technology, including AI, is giving perpetrators more ways to target victims.
Last updated 22nd Apr 2026
Police and a domestic abuse charity are warning that stalking is becoming more complex and increasingly driven by technology, as calls grow for greater awareness and earlier intervention.
New forms of stalking are emerging through social media, messaging platforms and artificial intelligence, according to Leeway Domestic Violence and Abuse Services, with perpetrators using a growing range of tools to target victims.
Reece Lloyd, communications officer at the charity, said behaviour had “evolved massively” in recent years.
He warned that online platforms are now central to many cases, allowing perpetrators to maintain persistent and often intrusive contact with victims.
“That can include repeated unwanted messages, monitoring someone’s online activity, or more advanced forms like manipulated images,” he said.
“We’re also seeing the use of AI to create fake or altered content, which adds another layer of distress for victims and makes the behaviour harder to challenge.”
"It’s about understanding when something crosses the line"
Mr Lloyd said the accessibility of technology means stalking can feel constant, with victims often unable to escape contact even within their own homes.
He added that some behaviours, such as repeatedly messaging someone or checking their online activity, can be dismissed as harmless when in reality they may form part of a pattern of stalking.
“It’s about understanding when something crosses the line,” he said. “If that behaviour isn’t recognised early, there is a risk it escalates into more serious forms of abuse.”
The charity also warned that technology can embolden perpetrators, giving them new ways to track, monitor or contact victims while remaining physically distant.
Suffolk Constabulary said stalking is now recognised as a serious offence in its own right, rather than being treated as a form of harassment.
PC Clare Dobson, the force’s single point of contact for stalking protection orders, said public understanding has improved, but more education is still needed.
“It’s not just someone being romantic or persistent; it’s not okay, it is a crime, and it will be dealt with,” she said.
Police said stalking can take many forms, including repeated unwanted contact, online harassment, surveillance, tracking devices and unwanted gifts.
"Protecting victims is always the first priority"
Officers work closely with victims to gather evidence such as messages, call logs, emails and CCTV footage, while prioritising safeguarding from the outset.
PC Dobson said protecting victims is always the first priority, with officers assessing risk and putting measures in place to reduce further harm.
She added that a range of legal tools are available, including stalking protection orders, designed to restrict a suspect’s behaviour before a criminal conviction is secured.
These orders can place conditions on individuals, such as limiting contact, restricting online activity or preventing them from entering certain areas.
Police say they are an important tool in preventing escalation, particularly in cases where behaviour is persistent but may not yet have reached the threshold for prosecution.
" 75% of cases in the past year involved perpetrators already known to the victim"
Despite the rise in online behaviour, officers say most cases still involve someone known to the victim.
PC Dobson said around 75 per cent of confirmed stalking cases handled by the force in the past year involved perpetrators already known to those targeted.
"The emotional and psychological trauma can outlast any court order or conviction"
She warned the impact can be long-lasting, with victims often experiencing fear, anxiety and significant disruption to their daily lives.
“The emotional and psychological trauma can outlast any court order or conviction,” she said.
Both police and support services say there is still a need to better define what constitutes stalking, with some behaviours becoming normalised, particularly online.
Campaigners are also calling for stronger education, particularly among young people, around relationships, boundaries and digital behaviour.
Police are encouraging anyone affected to report concerns, but say support is also available through organisations, including the National Stalking Helpline and local services.
They add that friends and family can play an important role in recognising changes in behaviour and encouraging victims to seek help.
Helpful services
National Stalking Helpline
- Telephone: 0808 802 0300 : Monday and Wednesday, 9:30am to 8pm : Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9:30am to 4pm