Police from Derry City & Strabane joined statutory and community partners at St Eugene’s Cathedral Parish Hall on Thursday, 30 April 2026, for a community event focused on raising awareness of stalking.

Participants heard practical guidance on recognising stalking behaviours, how the law in Northern Ireland applies, and where to find specialist support. The FOUR mnemonic (Fixated, Obsessed, Unwanted, Repeated) was highlighted as a simple way to spot patterns of conduct that may not seem significant in isolation but amount to stalking when taken together.

Speakers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Foyle Women's Aid and the Foyle Women's Information Network (FWIN) provided informative inputs on identifying offending, understanding legal protections such as Stalking Protection Orders, and how police identify behaviour patterns that often overlap with coercive control and domestic abuse.

Partner organisations shared insight into the lived experiences of victims and the emotional, psychological and practical impact stalking can have, underscoring the importance of early intervention and reporting.

The event fostered a safe, supportive space for open discussion around personal safety, warning signs and clear pathways to help. Frontline teams also outlined advocacy services, safety planning and ongoing support available to those affected.

This collaborative approach between policing and community partners underlines a continuing commitment to tackling violence against women and girls, building awareness of stalking and strengthening confidence to seek help. The event formed part of ongoing efforts to educate and empower local communities so that stalking is recognised, reported and addressed effectively.

"Stalking is a pattern of unwanted, repeated behaviour which can leave you feeling scared or distressed. You do not have to be threatened with violence to be a victim of stalking, and any kind of persistent, unwanted contact which causes distress is stalking. Sometimes stalking behaviours can appear small in isolation, but when they are combined into a pattern which follows the FOUR mnemonic - Fixated, Obsessed, Unwanted, Repeated - then you should record it, keep a log of evidence and report it before it escalates further."

A Police Service spokesperson said: "Stalking is a crime, which will not be tolerated or accepted within our communities.

"Thousands of our officers and staff have now been trained to recognise and respond to these crimes and we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to bring offenders to justice."

For advice on spotting the signs of stalking, how to report it and where to get support, visit www.psni.police.uk/safety-and-support/keeping-safe/protecting-yourself/stalking-and-harassment

In an emergency, always call 999.

If you are unsure whether you are being stalked, you can contact the National Stalking Helpline: www.suzylamplugh.org/pages/category/national-stalking-helpline or 0808 802 0300.

Spotting the signs (a non-exhaustive list):

- Getting unexpected visits to your home or place of work

- Having persistent phone calls, messages or contact over social media

- Receiving unwanted gifts or items turning up at your address

- Interfering with or damaging someone's property, or breaking into their home

- Hanging around somewhere you know the person visits

- The stalker making contact with your family, friends and colleagues to gain information about you, or make complaints

- Verbal abuse and/or public humiliation

- Hacking into social media or your emails

- Spreading rumours/discrediting

- Threats made against the person, family, friends and pets

- Blackmail

- Seeking physical proximity by applying for jobs where the victim works; joining the same gym; church; professional/social sports groups or clubs; moving into the same neighbourhood or building

- Identity theft – pretending to be the victim

- Running up debt in the victim's name

- Planting spyware/viruses on the victim's computer or laptop

- Tracking location