Netflix series Baby Reindeer highlights problem of abuse and stalking but when should a potential crime be reported to police?

There will be people reading this article who are being abused, yet too worried to go to the police.

Some may fear repercussions from their abuser. Others may think their complaint is too trivial, especially when we hear so much about overstretched officers.

But with 28 years’ experience of talking to the victims and culprits of crime, Detective sergeant Louise Wills is clear about what people should do.

“I would like people to know we’re approachable and that if they have an issue, even if they’re not sure it’s a criminal one, they should come and ask,” she said, adding that the days of abuse complaints not being taken seriously are well and truly over.

The Netflix series Baby Reindeer, which starts with a man entering a police station to explain he’s being stalked by a woman, has highlighted how abuse - particularly against men - has been trivialised in the past, making it difficult for the victims to talk about it.

But over a long career that has covered child protection, violent and complex crimes, and victim support, DS Wills knows every person seeking help has good reason and deserves to be heard.

One of the recent cases she worked on with her colleagues in Rutland and Leicestershire began as a dispute over property - and something that wouldn’t necessarily be considered a crime.

“It had elements of a civil dispute when it was reported to us, but when we looked into it, we were able to identify coercive and controlling behaviour,” said DS Wills.

Exerting coercive and controlling behaviour over someone became an offence in 2015, recognising harm that can be inflicted without physical contact.

In this case, police took the time to build trust with the victim and their family.

Also: Statistics show rise in stalking and harassment in Lincolnshire

“At first, the entire family wasn’t trusting of the police but then they started to open up to us, and as a result safeguarding could be put in place to stop the coercive and controlling behaviour from having an effect,” DS Wills said.

“We are problem solvers. Sometimes we go in and sort a problem but then we leave to deal with something else. This is why it’s so important we work with partner agencies, such as GPs, child support, or adult social care providers.”

According to DS Wills, it’s not just to support the crime victim, but also the perpetrator.

While critics can suggest culprits don’t deserve time and money being spent on them, the idea is to break the cycle of reoffending, which can be more cost-effective and can reduce the number of people falling victim to them in future.

“Stealing is sometimes driven by hunger, or by drug dependency,” said DS Wills.

“If we take the time to find this out, we can get people referred to food banks or to drug support, and remove the need to steal.”

Officers recently stepped in to support a supermarket security guard who was being troubled by teenagers - petty crimes in a sense, but not if you’re forced to face them every day.

“No one should have to go to work and be abused,” said DS Wills.

“We’re never too busy to deal with this sort of crime. It’s important.”

Officers are keen not to criminalise young people by pressing charges for a first offence, which can limit education and employment options, or act as a ‘badge of honour’ encouraging some along a criminal path they wouldn’t necessarily have taken.

They instead work with schools and other agencies to try to stop them reoffending, and bring them back onto a ‘normal’ route in which they can earn a wage and play a positive part in society.

While all criminal cases can have complicating factors, perhaps the trickiest are those that involve partners or former partners suffering domestic abuse.

DS Wills said: “In small towns and villages it feels like everyone knows each other, which can prevent people from seeking help. There’s a feeling of stigma, particularly with domestic abuse, and people don’t want friends, neighbours or family to find out.

“There’s the fear that if children find out, so will their school friends and their parents, and it can gather momentum.

“There’s also a fear that nothing good will come of speaking out - that it could go to court and be traumatic but that nothing will be decided.

“And some worry that their relationship ending will leave them homeless or unable to pay bills.

“We speak to the person face to face, build up their trust, and get the full history of what has been happening so we can really understand what they have gone through and where they are at mentally.”

Police follow a code of practice for victims of crime, which is shared with the victim so they know what to expect.

While it includes suggesting referrals to outside support agencies, these don’t have to be taken up - whether agencies, friends, or family members are informed is up to the individual.

DS Wills said: “We will take them anywhere they want to go and help facilitate the wish of the person who has contacted us. Sometimes the victim just wants to go home. What’s most important is that we understand those wishes.

“If they need us again, they can call and we’ll respond. They are allowed to change their mind.”

According to DS Wills, the most common form of stalking is by an ex partner, but just because they are previously well known to one another does not mean it’s not a crime that’s taken extremely seriously.

“We risk-assess cases based on whether there are elements such as a previous history of stalking, a criminal background, and whether children are involved,” she said.

“We look at everything to understand what the risk is and put in safeguarding measures based on what we find.

“Safeguarding against harm underpins a lot of the work we do.”

Cases such as the murder of 38-year-old Rhonda Campbell, who was killed by her husband, have ‘stayed with’ DS Wills for many years. Her body was found at her home in Melton Mowbray by police.

“As an officer, it’s something you never forget,” she said.

“At the time you go into a mode - you just want to do your absolute best for those who are left.

“It is only when you go home and work through what’s happened, and see your own friends and family, that you start to reflect. And you never forget.”

A good support system is in place for officers working in Rutland and Leicestershire, according to DS Wills.

“You can speak to a counsellor and ‘offload’, which is important.”

These days, she looks at all crimes being reported, assessing patterns, which lines of inquiry should be followed, and whether outside agencies need to be involved.

She continuously reviews crimes being investigated, keeping an open dialogue with the case officer and the victim.

This more holistic approach is breaking the cycle of crime in some areas.

“It's not just as simple as ‘arrest, deal and move on’,” said DS Wills.

“Things have changed.”