Following last week's National Stalking Awareness Week, Hertfordshire Constabulary is keen to make victims aware of the Kulpa app, which is helping police bring more perpetrators to justice.

Kulpa lets victims of crimes like domestic abuse, stalking and harassment, store evidence like photos, videos, WhatsApp messages, audio files and other documents in a secure cloud that officers can then easily access with the user's consent.

Stalking and harassment is when someone repeatedly behaves in a way that makes you feel scared, distressed or threatened. Importantly, the law requires a pattern of repeated behaviour to be proven.

Safeguarding Detective Superintendent Sally Phillips said: "The enhanced use of Kulpa within Hertfordshire Constabulary began six months ago and has already proven to significantly increase the probability of a positive outcome for victims.

"In one case, a victim used Kulpa to share evidence of seven separate stalking and harassment incidents to the police, including videos, photographs, CCTV footage and messages.

"With such consistent, verified evidence, shared via Kulpa, we were able to arrest and charge the offender.

"Given its certifications and proven benefits, use of the Kulpa app is encouraged by support services and charities both locally in Hertfordshire and nationally."

Detective Inspector Derek Gray added: "Kulpa is an app that gives anyone the ability to document and evidence each incident, by storing verifiable digital forensic evidence, which is then suitable for use in a legal process. Previously, those reporting possible stalking or harassment have been encouraged to keep a diary of events.

advertisement

"The app can accept any file of any size - photos, videos, audio files, text messages, social media screenshots, WhatsApp exports, CCTV, doorbell footage and documents.

"The Kulpa app is free and available for anyone to download from the app stores, or it can be used on a computer by going to kulpacloud.com. We would encourage anyone who feels they are being stalked or harassed to download and use Kulpa to record and securely store the evidence of each incident.

"Whenever you are ready, you can share the evidence, by clicking the in-app option 'Share with police'. Officers can then review, investigate, and safeguard."

Kulpa CEO Simon Franc said: "The app empowers victims and witnesses to provide the police with immediately usable digital forensic evidence in significant quantities, without the need for police to have to seize or download their device. It protects and respects victims and enables suspect-focused investigations."

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, who also run the National Stalking Helpline, have found that one in five women and one in 11 men are victims of stalking in their lifetime. Only 50% are stalked by ex-intimate partners, with many victims stalked by acquaintances, friends, neighbours, colleagues or strangers.

If you or someone you know is experiencing stalking or harassment, support is always available. You can call the non-emergency number, 101, or report online. If you are in immediate danger, always call 999.

advertisement

You can also report to The Suzy Lamplugh Trust or the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300.