Cyberbullying on the rise in Staffordshire
The number of harassing messages sent online or via text across Staffordshire has risen by 25 per cent in the past year - with Cannock recording the highest number of offences in the county.
A total of 1,527 harassment offences were reported to Staffordshire Police between May 2013 and May 2014, compared to 1212 the previous year.
Cannock recorded the highest figure in one area, with 158 incidents logged.
A total of 302 of the harassment offences recorded were linked to social media compared to 117 in the previous 12 month period.
The majority of the offences that were linked to social media involved Facebook and Twitter and the figures also revealed that 854, 56 per cent, of all offences reported took place within relationships.
Staffordshire Police has since launched a campaign to tackle the rise in cyber bullying.
Called #urNOTinvisible it is a co-ordinated effort to increase awareness that sending threatening or abusive messages is an offence and to help victims to protect themselves more effectively and co-operate with authorities to help bring offenders to justice.
The campaign is being supported by a growing group of specialist organisations includingChase Against Crimes of Hate, Pathway and The Salvation Army.
Inspector Paul Cooke, head of local policing across south Staffordshire, said: "This campaign will build the awareness of how to use the policies in place on social media and that mobile phone networks also have to protect against cyber bullies.
"Unfortunately, we are seeing more and more people suffering as a result of this type of harassment. We are encouraging those affected to save and not delete those messages as evidence needed to make further investigation into these horrible offences. Anyone getting these messages should notify their service providers straight away to support early intervention and investigation; also to notify us by calling 101. However cases where someone feels in physical danger should always result in them calling 999 straight away."
Anna McLauchlan, Co-ordinator from Chase Against Crimes of Hate, added: "We are glad to be part of this campaign; cyber bullying is an issue that needs to be tackled by law enforcement as well as organisations like ours. We want people who are being bullied via the internet to know that there is help available for them and that legal action can be taken. We also need the bullies to understand that there can be consequences to their actions.
"Often violent and extreme actions begin with threatening words and messages, so if we can help to stop those messages, we will go some way to preventing a descent into violence."
Anyone who would like to support the campaign by sharing how cyber bullying has impacted their lives, is urged to contact the campaign organisers by visiting www.urNOTinvisible.org.uk
