Nottinghamshire Police says that it has shown its commitment to protecting victims of online harassment after securing stalking protection orders against a persistent offender.
Stalking protection orders are civil orders which can run alongside criminal prosecutions and can forbid a person from contacting others or from taking certain actions.
Every breach of an order is an offence in its own right and could result in a jail sentence.
Alex Belfield, of HMP Stocken, in Rutland, was previously jailed for five-and-a-half years in September 2022 following a four-week trial at Nottingham Crown Court.
The 43-year-old former BBC radio presenter was locked up after running a relentless campaign of harassment against multiple victims.
Following much hard work, Belfield has now been made subject to indefinite stalking protection orders relating to two victims who were not part of the criminal trial.
The orders which were imposed on Thursday (1 June 2023) at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court, prevent Bellfield, or any of his supporters, from contacting these victims by any means, including on social media.
Lifetime restraining orders were previously granted to all eight complainants in the criminal case.
Detective Constable Janet Percival, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “It’s been a long hard slog, but we’ve now managed to secure these significant orders which will provide peace of mind for these two victims who were caused genuine alarm and distress by Belfield.
“It’s important for people to know that they don’t have to put up with this sort of online harassment and cyber stalking.
“I understand that people can be reluctant to contact us – sometimes because they aren’t sure that what’s happening is serious enough to warrant police action, and sometimes because they feel we won’t be able to help – but I can assure them that we will take their reports seriously and we will do whatever we can to help and protect them.”
Stalking offences are defined by a pattern of fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated behaviours – in person or through remote means such as social media.
If you are a victim of stalking or believe that you might be, please contact Nottinghamshire Police:
If you feel in immediate danger at any time, always call 999.
If you are frightened, but not in immediate danger contact us on 101 or report it online.
For further information please refer to:
How to protect yourself from stalking and harassment | Nottinghamshire Police
The National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300.