Published: September 30, 2024 — Documentary maker Zara McDermott will be exploring the impact of stalking in a new series commissioned for BBC Three and iPlayer. She will be meeting and spending time with those currently being subjected to this behaviour, witnessing how stalking affects everyday lives and following the process when victims report to police and navigate the justice system.

Stalking reports are on the rise and increasingly involve young adults – this year the National Stalking Helpline reported a huge 47 percent increase in the numbers of victims asking for support and advice. According to a 2023 study conducted by The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, 1 in 5 young people in the UK have experienced stalking or harassment, with 1 in 10 being stalked online. The crime is evolving in the digital world and repeated unwanted contact takes many forms; from tracking and online hacking to turning up uninvited to where the victim is.

In this two-part series filmed over 10 months, Zara will witness the psychological, physical, social and practical impacts of stalking on those who have been targeted. She will also spend time with a police force to understand how stalking reports are handled and why the conviction rates remain low.

Zara McDermott says: “I, like many others, know people who have been affected by stalking. I really want to witness the real impact of stalking on people’s lives as they deal with the stress, fear and process of reporting these crimes to the police. I want to look at what can be done to support them and bring their stalkers to justice”.

Chatterbox Executive Nav Raman says: “we are pleased to be working with Zara on this important subject- she brings a unique perspective and authentic connection to her followers, and the BBC Three audience. This series will enable the stalking victims to show the impact of stalking on their lives and hopefully increase understanding of this crime and help others going through it”.

Nasfim Haque, Head of Content for BBC Three, says: “In this two-part series, Zara McDermott witnesses firsthand the profound impact stalking has on its victims as they live through it. Due to the highly sensitive nature of these cases, Zara and the small production team are approaching the upcoming filming process with extreme care and discretion. Over an extended filming period, they are working closely with charities and advocates to illuminate how this increasingly prevalent behaviour is affecting young people today”.

Zara McDermott: Stalked (wt) (2 x 45’) is produced by Chatterbox. The Executive Producers are Nav Raman and Ali Quirk The Series Director is Leo Machado and the Producer is Irene Carter.

The series was commissioned by Nasfim Haque, Head of Content for BBC Three and Clare Sillery, Head of Commissioning for Documentaries. The Commissioning Editor is Fran Baker.

Transmission details will be announced in due course.

Previous critically acclaimed documentaries from Zara McDermott for BBC Three are The Idaho Murders: Trial by TikTok, Disordered Eating, Uncovering Rape Culture and Revenge Porn

Notes

This series is being made at a time when awareness is growing about the prevalence of stalking and the way it is being handled by Police forces:

• On 27 September 2024 the results of a super complaint made to the IOPC by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust and National the Stalking Consortium were published, with recommendations outlined to improve the policing of stalking. The report highlights that police forces often lack a sufficient understanding of stalking, conduct flawed investigations, fail to respond to breaches of protective orders, and lack a consistent and effective strategy to support victims, leaving them vulnerable and at risk of serious harm. View the report on His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services website

• On 26 September 2024 new ONS figures revealed that one in seven people aged 16 and over in England and Wales have been a victim of stalking at least once, with women and younger people the most targeted, according to data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW). An estimated 1.5 million people aged six years and over experienced stalking in the year ending March 2024 . Among women, 20.2% have experienced stalking since the age of 16, as have 8.7% of men. View findings from the Crime Survey for England and Wales on the Office for National Statistics website