FOI 926-2025 / Sep 2025 / Stalking charges

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: FOI-926-2025

 

I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 15^th September 2025, and clarification received on the same date, as follows:

 

Request:

 

My query relates to instances where a perpetrator was charged with stalking in the last three years, (from beginning of 2022 to present day).

 

Please check your records for those charged with a stalking offense (including but not limited to: “Stalking without fear / alarm/ distress” or “Stalking involving fear of violence” or “Stalking involving serious alarm/ distress).

 

In those records please do a search for the key term “hired a private investigator” / “hired private investigators”/ “hiring a private investigator” AND “hired a private detective”/ “hired private detectives”/ “hiring a private detective”

 

I would like to know:

 

1. Broken down by year, if possible, how many times someone charged with a stalking offence, had hired a private investigator or private detective
2. If possible, a list of the names of those private investigators/ agencies
3. How often a private investigator has been charged with stalking or harassment

 

On 15^th September we requested the following clarification from you:

 

Please can you confirm whether you are requesting information in relation to the number of stalking offences recorded each year from 2022 to date, where any of the following keyword phrases appear within the MO Description / Incident Summary freetext fields of the investigation: “hired a private investigator” / “hired private investigators”/ “hiring a private investigator” AND “hired a private detective”/ “hired private detectives”/ “hiring a private detective” and where the investigation outcome is Type 1 Charge?

 

Then, with regard to any records returned you then require:

 

1. Broken down by year, if possible, how many times someone charged with a stalking offence, had hired a private investigator or private detective

 

2. A list of the names of those private investigators/ agencies

 

3. Whether a private investigator has been charged

 

On 15^th September you advised the following:

 

Thanks for checking - yes this is what I am requesting.

 

Please find the Warwickshire Police response set out below.

 

Response: Searches were conducted for all Stalking offences, recorded during the period 1^st January 2022 to the date of your request, where any of the following appear within the MO Description / Incident Summary free text fields of the investigation:

 

• ‘hired a private investigator’
• ‘hired private investigators’
• ‘hiring a private investigator’
• ‘hired a private detective’
• ‘hired private detectives’
• ‘hiring a private detective’

 

and where the investigation outcome is Type 1 Charge.

 

Based on the above search criteria there were no relevant records located; however, it is important to note that in the event that such circumstances are relevant to an offence, but where the keywords/phrases have not been mentioned within the MO Description/Incident Summary free text fields then any such offences would not have been captured within the response and, for this reason, the information cannot could not be considered statistically accurate and/or definitive and caution should be taken when using such data for any further statistical, analytical or evaluative purposes.

 

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is as accurate as possible.

 

Your attention is drawn to the below which details your right of complaint.

 

Should you have any further enquiries concerning this matter, please write or email the Freedom of Information Unit quoting the reference number above.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Freedom of Information Officer

Freedom of Information Unit
Warwickshire Police

PO Box 4

Leek Wootton

Warwickshire

CV35 7QB

[email protected]