Durham Police to educate youngsters on dangers of stalking

The project, announced jointly today by Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen and the Alice Ruggles Trust, will see schools across the county hold assemblies, with the aim of guiding children through how to spot stalking behaviour and how to report it.

The material was developed by the Alice Ruggles Trust, a charity set up after Alice, 24, was murdered by Trimaan Dhillon, her ex-partner in her home in Gateshead in October 2016.

Alice Ruggles.

Mr Dhillon was put behind bars with a life sentence in 2017.

Now, eight years on, Durham Constabulary has deployed trained PCSOs to deliver assemblies on stalking based on Alice's experiences throughout 2024.

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen said: “Alice Ruggles’ family have always been so determined that there should be a zero tolerance to stalking, and they want to prevent it altogether.

“These assemblies will reach schools across the whole county and get the message out to young people, telling them what stalking is, what they need to do and how serious it is.

Joy Allen PCC and Clive Ruggles at the launch of the Alice Ruggle Trust Assemblies Project at Durham Police HQ. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“We need to educate our young people about stalking and get that message out - I really welcome it. It’s an initiative, it’s innovative and we hope if it works, we can roll it out across England and Wales.”

Following the tragedy of Alice, who came forward to Northumbria Police five days before her murder, Durham Constabulary is hoping this latest scheme will encourage victims to make their voices heard.

PCC Allen said: “What we don’t want to happen is for a victim to believe that their issue is not serious – because it is. It is a crime.

“Perpetrators need to hear this message loud and clear - there is zero tolerance to stalking.”

However, PCC Allen emphasised that the main messages of this project is prevention and stopping stalking as it starts as she urged schools to take advantage of the assemblies.

“We want to urge all schools to take this opportunity up to get this message out. We want to see how it works, what changes it makes and where we can go from there," she said.

Victoria Charleston, Clive Ruggles and Joy Allen PCC at the launch of the Alice Ruggle Trust Assemblies Project at Durham Police HQ. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“Stalking does happen, but what we want to put our focus upon is preventing it from happening in the future.

“To end stalking, you need to educate people and have the right response too.”

Also speaking at the launch today (February 21), Alice’s father Clive Ruggles paid tribute to his daughter who “lit up the room” wherever she went.

“She was open, and always full of fun. If you were feeling down, she would always know and come out with a little joke to make you feel better”, said Mr Ruggles.

“There is a need to raise public awareness because people like Alice don’t go to the police soon enough, and we think we can improve that by making people understand how serious stalking is.”

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In a heartfelt plea, Mr Ruggles also urged young people to come forward if they are on the end of stalking behaviour to speak out.

“I have two messages. First – know that it’s not your fault. Don’t blame yourself”, he said.

“Secondly – seek help. If something feels wrong, then it probably is. Seek help as soon as you can, and your first port of all should always be the police but there is a national stalking helpline with advocates who can help you.”