CRIMES of stalking and harassment are being targeted by police across North Yorkshire as reports of offences soar amid rising awareness of the dangers.

The campaign is part of the "No Home Here" push to educate people about crimes affecting the most vulnerable in the community and help make it stop by reporting it.

Last year they had 886 reports of harassment compared to 387 in 2012, and 52 of stalking - in 2012 there were 11. Temporary Det Supt Allan Harder, head of safeguarding, said: “Victims of harassment and stalking are often vulnerable and have frequently suffered the actions of perpetrators over a long period.

“Many are survivors of domestic abuse, who leave coercive and controlling relationships only to become the victims of an extension of this by way harassment and stalking. These are serious crimes that have a colossal impact on the victims’ emotional wellbeing.

“Nobody in our communities should feel harassed or stalked. It is simply not acceptable.

"The ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend that calls you 50 times a day and follows you home making you feel scared and fearful of your safety, they are committing a crime and you should tell the police about their behaviour.”

“The number of incidents of harassment and stalking have risen over the last five years, and we think this is because people are becoming more confident in reporting these crimes, recognising the law and knowing support is available.We also believe police officers are becoming more aware, through training and briefings, of how to recognise a pattern in offender’s behaviour.”

He said the offences were crimes of persistence and often control. Harassment is defined as physical, verbal and non-verbal actions directed at or towards a person by another, which causes alarm, distress, fear and or a fear of violence. Stalking is a pattern of repeated, unwanted and persistent behaviour that causes distress or fear, often described by victims as “mental rape”.

Det Supt Harder added:“Victims are often vulnerable and have frequently suffered over a long period of time. Many are survivors of domestic abuse, who leave coercive and controlling relationships only to become the victims of an extension of this behaviour by way harassment and stalking.”

To report or discuss stalking or harassment call 101 and ask for the neighbourhood team, or visit northyorkshire.police.uk. In emergencies call 999.