People and communities
2026 National Stalking Awareness Week highlights impact of stalking and harassment in Walsall
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Walsall Council is marking National Stalking Awareness Week (NSAW), an annual campaign to raise awareness of stalking, by highlighting the support available locally to residents.
The campaign, which takes place between 20-24 April 2026, is led by the National Stalking Consortium, a network of 21 specialist organisations from across the UK. This year’s campaign focus of ‘Fatal Fixation’ homes in on the critical link between stalking and serious harm, including homicide.
Stalking is defined as a pattern of fixated and obsessive behaviour that is repeated, persistent, intrusive and causes fear of violence or engenders alarm and distress in the victim. It is a criminal offence that can be committed by anyone, regardless of gender, and can occur with or without explicit threats of violence. Persistent, unwanted contact that causes distress may constitute stalking.
The impact of stalking can be significant, with long-term effects on a victim’s mental and physical well-being.
Data from the Safer Walsall Partnership (SWG), which includes Walsall Council and West Midlands Police, provides insight into local trends:
- Around 10 per cent of all stalking and harassment offences reported to West Midlands Police are recorded in Walsall.
- Overall recorded harassment offences across the West Midlands have decreased compared to last year, with a larger reduction seen in Walsall.
- Recorded harassment offences against women are decreasing at a greater rate, although reductions in Walsall are smaller than across the wider police force area.
- Recorded stalking offences are decreasing at a faster rate than harassment overall, though the reduction in Walsall is lower than across West Midlands.
- Stalking offences involving female victims are reducing by a greater rate than harassment overall.
Whilst these figures indicate some reductions, stalking and harassment remain underreported, meaning the true scale is likely higher.
The data also shows that women are disproportionately affected. Around two-thirds of harassment victims are women, and approximately 75 per cent of stalking victims are female. This contrasts with overall recorded crime trends, where victims are more evenly split between men and women.
“ Stalking and harassment can have a profound and lasting impact on victims. The data shows that women are disproportionately affected locally.
“Agencies across Walsall continue to work together to identify risks, support victims and respond to these offences. Anyone experiencing persistent, unwanted behaviour is encouraged to seek help, speak up and report it. “
“ Harassment and stalking are criminal offences, and there are no circumstances where this behaviour is acceptable.
“Police use a range of approaches to investigate and resolve stalking and harassment crimes including out of court interventions, prosecutions, and court orders, such as, domestic violence protection orders and harassment protection orders.
“Over the winter months, West Midlands Police increased our patrols during the darker nights, targeting areas where there was a heightened risk of offending or vulnerability. This year, we remain committed to continuing this vital work. “
Anyone affected by stalking or harassment can access advice and support from the following organisations:
