A STALKING or harassment complaint was reported to police in Ceredigion almost every day on average last year.

There were 297 cases of stalking, harassment or malicious communications reported in 2017, according to The Office for National Statistics.

In Ceredigion, stalking and harassment has increased by 307 per cent over the past two years, from 73 cases in 2015.

Stalking can include following someone, repeatedly going uninvited to their home and monitoring their use of phones and computers.

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust believes that stalking is still being vastly underreported, as there is a huge disparity between the recorded crime statistics and the ONS’ more reliable national figures.

Katie Ghose, chief executive of Women’s Aid, said: “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.

“All too often abuse that does not leave bruises is not taken seriously enough. These acts are often not seen as harmful as physical abuse when isolated yet together they create a life filled with threats, a life lived in fear.”

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