POLICE have used social media to encourage a victim of stalking to contact them.

Comments left on a story published online by a York media outlet were of such concern to North Yorkshire Police officers that they appealed to the individual through their Facebook page.

The individual posted comments detailing their disturbing experience under a pseudonym in the comments section of the online story, which highlighted National Stalking Awareness Week.

That person is being urged to contact North Yorkshire Police.

A spokeswoman for the force said: “A local York media outlet recently ran an online article about National Stalking Awareness Week and how North Yorkshire Police are putting their support behind the campaign and urging victims to come forward.

“We are aware that some comments have been left on that website by a reader who has spoken about his or her experience of being stalked over a number of years.

“We’d like to send a message to that person to please contact us and make a report, so that we can take all steps possible to safeguard you and ensure you get the help and support you may need. Please contact our Force Control Room by dialling 101 and selecting option one. Please quote ‘York stalking article’.”

National Stalking Awareness Week started on Monday, April 8. In February, The Press spoke to one woman who had been stalked and harassed by a man she met at a York social group.

Judith - not her real name - was in her mid-70s when she was bombarded with unwanted messages from the man, and said her decision to contact North Yorkshire Police quickly put a stop to the harassment. She urged anyone in similar position to consider doing the same.

She said: “I think the police did a brilliant job. I didn’t know what to expect from them, I just thought I would contact them and see if they could help. I thought they might have thought it was too insignificant and was quite surprised when they took it up straight away.”