In a recent eye-opening finding, criminologists researching over a six-month period have found a strong correlation between stalking and homicides. The killers stalk their victims on social media before murdering them.
In 94 per cent of the cases, the victims are stalked, surveillance activity was recorded 63 per cent of the time, concerning behaviours was identified in 79 per cent cases and death threats made in the rest.
Gloucestershire researchers found 85% of murders occurred in victim's home, with most killers stalking their victims on social media before the murder – according to homicides.
According to the findings and as stated by Daily Mail, stalking could present itself in acts as simple as rearranging a victim's garden furniture, sending unwanted gifts, loitering on the pavement outside their house, or even calling social services to maliciously report 'poor' parenting.
Chief executive Rachel Griffin told the Daily Mail that 'Stalking is an obsession which can increase in risk and severity and needs to be addressed under an early intervention model. Acting on what are currently considered to be minor, unrelated incidents, but which are driven by a malicious intent which could later put the victim at great risk, could help to save lives.'
Racheal added that to see changes being put into action, we need real commitment from criminal justice professionals to ensure that the intention driving the behaviour is examined and assessed for threat, and that these seemingly 'harmless actions' are seen for what they are and given the attention they deserve.
The study looked at 358 cases which occurred in Britain between 2012 and 2014
