VICTIMS of stalking and harassment are being urged to report crimes early – or risk fatal consequences.

Stalking is where someone becomes fixated or obsessed with someone and repeatedly makes unwanted and intrusive contact with their victim.

Signs you are being stalked can range from being followed, someone loitering outside your home or place of work or receiving unsolicited telephone calls or text messages.

Det Supt Nigel Wenham, from Cheshire Police Public Protection Unit, said: “Being stalked is life-changing for the victim and the consequences can be fatal.

“It is a crime that we take extremely seriously and important that this behaviour is reported to us at the earliest possible stage so that police can take immediate action.

“Victims should trust their instincts and the sooner the police are notified, the sooner action can be taken against their stalker.”

This year the National Stalking Awareness campaign, which took place earlier this month, focused on the dangers of social media.

Findings from research commissioned by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust into cyberstalking shows that social media is becoming the tool of choice for many stalkers.

Det Supt Wenham said: “We are seeing technology being increasingly used by stalkers as a means to harass, monitor and research their victims.

"This can take many forms and include sharing, or threatening to share, explicit images and directly harassing the victim to setting up websites or profiles purporting to be from or about the victim.

“It can also include the use of spyware, tracking devices and other covert technology and can be hugely traumatic for victims.

“Cheshire Police takes this type of crime extremely seriously and are encouraged by the fact that more people each year are reporting it.

“But we know that it does go unreported and hope that this week’s awareness campaign will give victims the confidence to come forward and get the help and support they need.”

Be aware of how much of your personal information is in the public domain and take positive steps to protect your data.

If you believe you are being stalked or harassed you should call Cheshire Police on 101 immediately.

In an emergency where you believe there is a threat to your life or if there is a crime in progress always call 999.

Further support can be found at digital-trust.org