Stalking Cases Involving Private Investigators

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FIN/25/003723/H

Version Date: 09/10/2025

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

The Performance Analysis Department has provided the following information:

Searches were completed in Niche for the following crimes:

• Racially / religiously aggravated stalking without fear / alarm / distress (recordable)
• Stalking involving fear of violence (recordable)
• Stalking involving serious alarm / distress (recordable)
• Stalking without fear / alarm / distress (recordable)

Keyword searches were then carried out within the occurrence enquiry logs for the terms provided and this resulted in a nil return for questions 1 to 3.