THERE were more than four stalking and harassment cases reported every day in Blackburn with Darwen over the last 12 months, figures reveal.

Office for National Statistics data shows that in Blackburn with Darwen, 1,481 cases of stalking, harassment or malicious communications were reported between July 2017 and June 2018.

In Hyndburn that figure was 834, there were 1,022 in Burnley, 213 in the Ribble Valley, 748 in Pendle and 534 in Rossendale.

Of the three crimes included in the figures stalking is the most serious, and can include following someone, repeatedly going uninvited to their home and monitoring their use of phones and computers.

Anti-domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid said that too often abuse which doesn’t leave bruises “is not taken seriously enough”.

Katie Ghose, the charity’s chief executive, said: “Abusers will often stop at nothing to make sure that their victim does not escape their control.

“From our work with survivors, we know that many women experience stalking as part of an ongoing pattern of controlling and abusive behaviour after leaving an abusive partner.

“These acts are often not seen as being as harmful as physical abuse when isolated yet together they create a life filled with threats, a life lived in fear.”

Ms Ghose said she was pleased there has been police progress regarding stalking, with improvements in identification and recording of the crime.

In Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, the Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale reported stalking and harassment offences have more than tripled since 2015-16.

Detective Superintendent Ian Whitehead, head of public protection at the police, said: “Lancashire Constabulary treats stalking and harassment extremely seriously which is why we continue to train our staff to better recognise stalking crimes, as well as the associated risks, and the impact on victims. Improved awareness and recording of these offences is an essential element in ensuring that we are understanding these risks and responding to the needs of victims, and we welcome the focus nationally on improving the recording of these crimes.

“Stalking can have devastating consequences for victims and can often escalate to other serious offences. We are committed to tackling this issue and will offer as much support as possible to anybody affected.”

The Government is currently passing a Stalking Protection Bill, which will introduce new civil Stalking Protection Orders to protect victims and halt perpetrators at the earliest opportunity. Breaching the order could result in up to five years in prison.

It is also giving £4.1million to the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, which campaigns to reduce the risk of violence and aggression, to better educate police officers about stalking and harassment.

A Home Office spokesman said: “We welcome improvements in police recording, the increased use of the stalking offence by the police, and that more victims are feeling empowered to come forward.

“But we know there is more to do to keep people safe.”

Anyone being affected by stalking is urged to contact the police on 101 or ring the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300.