A PILOT scheme to research stalking and harassment has been launched in Hampshire.

The Hampshire Stalking Clinic has secured funding of £670,000 to investigate the psychology behind the behaviour.

It comes as figures reveal that one in five will be the victim of stalking at some point in their lives.

The cash - which comes from the National Police Transformation Fund - organisers at the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, who run a helpline for victims of stalkers, said they recognised a need for intervention and a deeper knowledge of the complex issues at the root of stalking behaviour.

The cash will be used to work with people known to the police but who have not been charged or convicted in a bid to enhance early intervention.

Money will also go towards rehabilitation and helping people change their behaviour.

Clinicians from Southern Health will research behaviour as well as mental health in a bid to understand what leads people to become stalkers.

Consultant forensic psychiatrist at Southern Health Dr David Morton said: “We hope this will help to reduce repeat offending and the impact on the victims.”

Hampshire Constabulary Detective Chief Inspector Tim Rowlandson added: “Stalking is a unique crime, characterised by fixation and obsession and often with clear links to mental ill-health. The psychology behind stalking is complex and needs to be properly understood if we are to have any chance of stopping it.”

The Hampshire Stalking Clinic is a multi-agency partnership involving psychologists, psychiatrists, the police, probation, the Crown Prosecution Service and victim support.

Shonagh Dillon, CEO of victim advocacy service Aurora New Dawn and one of the partners in the project said: “We are delighted to be working on this with partners nationally and look forward to the outcomes for this innovative project.”

If successful the project could be rolled out across the UK in a £4.1million project.

ARE YOU WORRIED AVBOUT STALKLING: CONTACT THE NATIONAL STALKING HELPLINE ON 0808 802 0300.