As part of Stalking Awareness Week, we’re highlighting the vital work taking place across Sussex to prevent stalking and protect victims at the earliest possible stage.

 

Stalking is a devastating and often hidden crime that can leave victims living in fear and profoundly affects every aspect of their lives. Tackling stalking and stopping behaviour from escalating into serious harm is a key priority for Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne.

 

Working in partnership with the PCC, Interventions Alliance delivers the Compulsive and Obsessive Behaviour Intervention (COBI) programme in Sussex. COBI works directly with individuals who display stalking behaviours, helping them to recognise, understand and change their actions, while placing victim safety at the centre of the intervention.

 

By addressing the root causes of stalking behaviour and intervening early, COBI plays a crucial role in reducing repeat offending and preventing further harm. The programme forms part of a wider, multi‑agency response that focuses on prevention, accountability and long‑term change.

 

During Stalking Awareness Week, PCC Katy Bourne is reaffirming her commitment to investing in evidence‑led interventions that put victims first and deliver meaningful outcomes for communities across Sussex.

 

Over the last financial year, Interventions Alliance received 27 referrals relating to individuals presenting compulsive and obsessive behaviours linked to stalking.

 

Of these, 18 completed either a 12‑week or 6‑week COBI programme. The team continues to work proactively to improve engagement with the programme, with a 64% increase in completed programmes from 2024/25 to 2025/26, demonstrating growing impact and reach.

Story of Hope: Early intervention to prevent harm through the COBI programme

LH* was referred to the COBI programme by Sussex Police via the Complex Domestic Abuse and Stalking Unit following the breakdown of a relationship and a stalking investigation was ongoing. As part of court proceedings, LH was issued with a four‑year Stalking Protection Order (SPO).

 

At the point of referral to Interventions Alliance, LH was initially reluctant to engage. He disputed the end of the relationship and did not recognise the impact of his behaviour on his former partner. His involvement in the programme was driven primarily by the requirements of the SPO rather than a personal desire for change.

 

Through structured one‑to‑one sessions, LH began to explore his emotions, beliefs and relationship patterns. Early in the programme, he developed a growing awareness of how intense emotional responses had influenced his behaviour. Using skills informed by Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) — including mindfulness and reflective decision‑making — LH started applying these techniques outside of sessions.

 

Over time, he reported improvements in his mental wellbeing, reconnected socially with friends, and demonstrated increased insight into healthy relationship dynamics. By the end of the programme, LH showed full engagement and a clearer understanding of previous patterns of obsessive attachment. He reflected on the importance of boundaries, balance and trust in future relationships, and showed an improved ability to monitor and manage his emotions and behaviour.

 

The Interventions Alliance team encouraged continued self‑reflection to help sustain this progress and reduce the risk of future harm – emphasising the power of early, evidence‑led intervention in preventing stalking and improving safety for victims.

 

Speaking about the importance of the behaviour change programme, Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne said:

 

“Stalking is an extremely harmful crime that can leave victims living in constant fear with long‑lasting emotional and psychological consequences. Programmes like COBI are so important because they intervene early, challenge harmful behaviours and help prevent escalation before further damage is done.

 

“By funding this work through Interventions Alliance, we are investing in proven, evidence‑based interventions that promote accountability, support long‑term behaviour change, and ultimately, help make Sussex a safer place for everyone.”

 

Victoria Curtis, Head of Behaviour Change Practice at Interventions Alliance said:

 

“We are proud to be working alongside Sussex Police to tackle the significant harm caused by stalking. Our strong partnership with the Sussex Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner has been crucial to reducing harm in Sussex and enabling real, sustained behaviour change through our Compulsive and Obsessive Behaviour Intervention.”

 

• LH is a pseudonym used to protect the individual’s identity.