Reports of stalking and harassment increased by over 31 per cent during lockdown, according to new official figures.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that the reports rose in England and Wales, despite the figures for most other crimes dropping during 2020.
The ONS also recorded stalking and harassment offences increased by 20 per cent year-on-year during lockdown, then rose to 31 per cent as restrictions eased, The Mirror reports.
The data comes after the death of Sarah Everard, 33, whose remains were found in woodland in Kent last week after she vanished while walking home in Clapham, south London.
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Stalking and harassment offences in England and Wales increased from around 118,500 in April to June 2019 to around 142,000 in April to June 2020, statistician said.
The figures continued to increase in the three months between June and September 2020, with around 163,000 offences.
The total stalking and harassment offences rose by 31 per cent compared to the previous year - up on around the around 125,000 offences recorded in July to September 2019.
On Wednesday, serving Metropolitan police officer, Wayne Couzens, 49, was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Women nationwide have taken to social media to reflect on their own experiences in the wake of Sarah's death.
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Virtual vigils took place over the weekend in a bid to 'reclaim the streets' with one planned to take place in Clapham on Saturday 13th March, although it was later cancelled due to Covid-19 safety concerns.
"We believe that streets should be safe for women, regardless of what you wear, where you live or what time of day or night it is," the Reclaim These Streets event description reads.
"We shouldn't have to wear bright colours when we walk home and clutch our keys in our fists to feel safe. It's wrong that the response to violence against women requires women to behave differently.
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"In Clapham, police told women not to go out at night this week. Women are not the problem. We've all been following the tragic case of Sarah Everard over the last week."
Couzens will appear at the Old Bailey on Tuesday on suspicion of murder and kidnapping.
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