FAILURE to take action on stalking could lead to an escalation in violence and potentially death, a study of more than 350 homicides suggests.

A six-month study has revealed a strong correlation between some key stalking behaviours and homicides.

Criminologists found that stalking was present in 94 per cent of the cases they studied and surveillance, including covert watching, was recorded 63 per cent of the time.

Escalation of concerning behaviours was identified in 79 per cent of the examples.

Other factors highlighted were control and isolation of the victim and making threats to kill.

According to the researchers, 85 per cent of homicides occurred in the victim’s home.

At the start of National Stalking Awareness Week today Sussex Police are calling for victims to come forward to report crimes.

The force was criticised over its handling of Shana Grice’s reports that Mike Lane was stalking her.

He went on to brutally murder her in her home.

Dr Jane Monckton Smith, a former police officer turned criminologist, found that in almost every case the killer displayed the obsessive, fixated behaviour associated with stalking.

With the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, Dr Monckton Smith is calling on the professionals across the criminal justice system to review their approach to assessing risk, so that the 1.1 million people who are victims of stalking every year can be offered greater protection.

“Practically every case we looked at featured examples of the obsessive, fixated behaviour that typifies stalking,” she said.

“Sadly it is too late for the women and children who formed part of our research so we need to do justice to their memory by acting earlier, when stalkers are demonstrating these behaviours, rather than waiting for the escalation, which can have profound and tragic results.

“Understanding the motivation behind these behaviours and the risk that they present is profoundly important.”

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, which runs the National Stalking Helpline, is calling on the courts to recognise stalking as a broader problem and pattern of behaviour.

Sussex Police Detective Superintendent Jason Tingley said: “Victims should know that we completely understand this could be a big decision in coming forward.

“We are committed to listening to you, understanding what you say, and taking action to help keep you safe.

“Working with partners, we have thoroughly reviewed all aspects of how we respond to cases of stalking and harassment since the tragic death of Shana Grice in August last year.”