GPS tracker stalking 422/23

FOI Reference: 422/2023

Request:

This is a request for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. My request relates to the surge in GPS tracker stalking involved in coercive control cases.

I would like to request the following information: Can you please provide me with the number of coercive control cases over the past ten years that were dealt with by your police force where GPS tracking was used as a form of coercive control? This could include social media trackers, AirTags, trackers on apps etc. Please provide the number of cases each year.

Response:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold some of the information requested, the details of which are as follows:

It should be noted that owing to the systems adopted by Dyfed-Powys Police in relation to the recording of such matters the information provided may or may not be accurate. Police Forces in the United Kingdom are routinely required to provide crime statistics to government bodies and the recoding criteria is set nationally.  However, the systems used for recording these figures are not generic, nor are the procedures used locally in capturing the data.  It should be noted that for these reasons this Force’s response to your questions should not be used for comparison purposes with any other response you may receive.           

(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 31/05/23)