Wigan among UK's highest areas for stalking and harassment offences, figures reveal
Worrying news that Wigan borough records far more stalking cases than the national average
Wigan has been named among the 40 local authorities with the highest recorded stalking and harassment rates in England and Wales, according to new research.
An analysis by Content Removal compared 267 local authorities using police-recorded stalking and harassment figures for 2025–26, revealing significant differences across the country.
Wigan ranks 37th, recording 1,370 stalking and harassment offences per 100,000 residents, putting it above the national local-authority median of 880.
The borough also records a higher rate than nearby Salford, which ranks 40th with 1,340 offences per 100,000 residents, and Liverpool, which places 50th with 1,230.
Elsewhere in the North West, Blackpool ranks third nationally with 1,920 offences per 100,000 residents, while Manchester places 34th with 1,380.
Bradford tops the overall ranking with 2,090 recorded offences per 100,000 residents, followed by Wakefield with 1,980.
Frankie Lee, Founder of Content Removal, explained how harassment can become particularly difficult to manage when it involves online activity.
"Harassment doesn't always stop when someone is blocked on social media. If an individual has published private photographs, personal information or harmful allegations, that content may remain accessible even after direct contact ends.
"One of the biggest challenges is that information can be copied across multiple websites and accounts, meaning removing a single post doesn't necessarily resolve the wider problem."
Lee advises anyone experiencing online harassment to preserve evidence and prioritise their personal safety.