Cyberstalking is increasing in the United Kingdom at a faster rate than physical stalking, according to new academic research.
A study published in the British Journal of Criminology examined responses from almost 147,800 people across England and Wales between 2012 and 2020. Researchers found cyberstalking had risen by 70 per cent during this period, compared with a 15 per cent increase in physical stalking.
The UK’s Crown Prosecution Office defines cyberstalking as threatening behaviour or unwanted advances online, which may accompany other harassment types. Examples include repeated unsolicited messages, harassment on live streams, or posting altered images of individuals or their workplaces on social media.
Over the eight-year period, 1.7 per cent of respondents reported being cyberstalked, up from 1 per cent in 2012. Women, young people, and LGBTQ+ individuals were more likely to experience it than other groups, researchers found.
Nearly half of those targeted said their experience was “wrong but not a crime”, raising concerns about underreporting to police. Madeleine Janickyj, from University College London, warned of a “clear disconnect” between lived experiences and legal or social recognition of cyberstalking.
She added that young people may be “so used to cyberstalking” they do not see it as criminal behaviour, which could hinder efforts to address the problem.
The researchers urged the UK government to improve public education, clarify legal definitions, and strengthen support for victims, warning the issue could worsen without urgent action.
