Anyone can be a stalker – Anyone can be stalked.

‘Stalking is a pattern of repeated, unwanted behaviour that causes you to feel distressed or scared, it can be perpetrated by men or women’ (Suzy Lamplugh Trust)

The National Policing Statement 2024 for Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG) states VAWG has reached epidemic levels in England and Wales and has increased by 37% from 2018/19 – 2022/23. At least 1 in every 12 women will be a victim of VAWG every year. The police has identified that stalking and harassment is one of 5 critical threats to women & girls, and it accounts for 40% of all VAWG related reported crime.

Tackling stalking and harassment effectively requires a partnership approach – the police cannot tackle these crimes in isolation. Businesses and organisations have a vital role in supporting and protecting their employees and volunteers from such predatory behaviours. Business Improvement Districts and Town Centre Management are key community safety partners and can be effective in preventing and deterring stalking and harassment by being a visible, reassuring presence within our public places and spaces.

Colmore BID and West Midlands Women in Transport has organised this Stalking Seminar to facilitate the conversations that matter to our local businesses and employees. Guest speakers will discuss their ongoing work to tackle stalking and harassment. Hear directly from:

• Detective Superintendent Simon Inglis – West Midlands Police lead for Domestic Abuse and Stalking

• Nick Gazzard – CEO of The Hollie Gazzard Trust and father of Hollie, who in 2014 was viciously murdered in her workplace by her violent and obsessive ex-partner. The Hollie Gazzard Trust is a national charity striving to tackle domestic abuse, stalking and knife crime through community resilience and healthy relationships

• Chloe Williams – Lead for West Midlands Women in Transport

• Paul Street – Colmore BID Safe & Sound Project Manager & Co-ordinator for the Colmore Women’s’ Safety Forum

• Inspector Ivan Merc & Education Officer Paula Shortland – West Midlands Safer Travel Partnership. West Midlands Police, British Transport Police and Transport for West Midlands make up the Safer Travel Partnership and work to identify areas of the network vulnerable to crime, anti-social and nuisance behaviour

Attending this seminar is strictly by invitation only. Attendees for this free-to-attend event must register via this Eventbrite link. A working lunch will be provided and attendees are required to specify any dietary or allegery considerations within the Eventbrite registration process.

Any queries must be directed to Paul Street via paul.street@colmorebid.co.uk