Animal-themed greetings cards and a distinctive signature could hold the key to catching a stalker who has been waging a six-year campaign of harassment against a woman.

A woman in her 40s contacted police in January 2016 about cards she had been receiving from a person called “Gordon”.

Police said the cards have been sent over six years but they have become more graphic and threatening in nature over the past two years and include threats to commit rape.

An example of one of the cards sent by 'Gordon' (Avon and Somerset Police/PA)
An example of one of the cards sent by ‘Gordon’ (Avon and Somerset Police/PA)

The offences have all happened in Bristol and we believe the offender is sending the cards from somewhere within the Bristol postmark area.

The cards are:

– Usually signed “Gordon” and always with five crosses (one large X and four small Xs around it)

– Always written in capitals

– Often have an animal pictured on the front, regularly cats

– Sent from the Bristol postmark area

The woman, who has been receiving the cards, said: “This has been going on for so long – someone out there must know who it is.

“Whether it’s the distinctive crosses, the handwriting or the name they call themselves, if you recognise anything that could help the police, please let them know.”

An example of one of the cards sent by 'Gordon' to the woman in the Bristol area (Avon and Somerset Police/PA)
An example of one of the cards sent by ‘Gordon’ to the woman in the Bristol area (Avon and Somerset Police/PA)

Detective Constable Patrick Prescott, who is leading the inquiry, said: “We’re releasing extracts of the offender’s handwriting and signature as we believe someone will recognise the style and know who the sender is.

“Do you recognise this handwriting, the name Gordon or the signature with the five crosses? Do you know who may be sending these cards?

“If you work in a shop which sells cards, or if you work in the postal service, do you recognise the handwriting or the distinctive pattern of crosses?

“The content is becoming increasingly sexually explicit and aggressive in nature and includes threats to commit rape and stalking offences.

“We’ve been working with a criminal profiler at the National Crime Agency to examine and risk-assess the offender’s behaviour and are continuing to progress numerous lines of enquiry.

“Thorough analysis of the communications has been carried out and the possibility the offender has sent, or is sending cards or letters with similar content to other people cannot be excluded.”

An example of one of the cards sent by 'Gordon' to the woman in the Bristol area (Avon and Somerset Police/PA)
An example of one of the cards sent by ‘Gordon’ to the woman in the Bristol area (Avon and Somerset Police/PA)

The detective added: “If you have been receiving similar correspondence then we want to hear from you.

“You may recognise one or more of the characteristics but can’t believe the person you have in mind would commit offences like this.

“It could be a colleague, friend or even a family member. We’d ask you to please report any concerns or suspicions to help us make this stop.

“Harassment offences can cause significant distress to victims and disrupt their daily lives but we’ll do all we can to make sure we investigate crimes, gather evidence and whenever possible, bring offenders to justice.”