Stalking and harassment are a pattern of persistent and unwanted attention that makes you feel scared, anxious, harassed, or pestered. Stalkers may be ex-partners, work colleagues or even someone you don't know. They often use multiple differing methods, and may continue for years.
Warning If there is immediate danger to you or someone else, call the police immediately on 999.
Report stalking or harassment to the police as early as possible. They will take it seriously.
If you don't want to contact the police, you can report anonymously to Crimestoppers, or report the local areas where you feel unsafe by using an Avon & Somerset Police Streetsafe form.
Identify stalking and harassment
Stalking and harassment can consist of any of the following types of behaviour:
- Repeatedly following or spy on you
- Letting you know that they are watching you, or know your routines
- Regularly giving you unwanted gifts
- Making unwanted, malicious or threatening communication (this could be by phone or text, or harassing you on social media)
- Sending messages, or telling lies about you, to a partner, friends or family
- Claiming to be in a relationship with you, when this isn't true
- Damaging your property
- Hacking your emails or phone calls
- Cyber-stalking (following your activity online)
- Physical or sexual assault
The impact of stalking and harassment
- Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, paranoia, and fear are common responses to repeated harassment.
- Physical Impact: The stress and fear caused by stalking can lead to physical symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, headaches and general unease.
- Social Isolation: Feeling the need to withdraw from friends, family, or social activities due to fear or embarrassment.
- Career or educational disruption: Stalking and harassment can affect your ability to focus on work or study, causing further emotional and financial strain.
Stay safe
Do the following things, to help you to cope and keep safe from a stalker.
Record it
- Keep a journal or diary with you to make notes. Keep evidence of what is happening and write information down as soon as possible while events are still fresh in your mind.
- Keep a record of what happened, when and where every time you are followed, phoned, or harassed in any way.
- Keep unwanted gifts as evidence. This includes letters and parcels. Do not throw them away, even if they contain upsetting or frightening messages.
- Record phone calls if you can and keep any stored text messages you might receive.
- If possible, record any details about the offender, such as how they looked and sounded, what they were wearing including make, number plate or colour of their car.
- Try to get photographic or video evidence of your stalker (particularly if police have warned them not to come near you).
- Keep copies of emails on external media, such as a USB flash drive, screenshot or print out any evidence from social networking sites, including times and dates.
Tell people
- Let others know what is happening and seek help and support from professionals.
- If you feel unsafe going out on your own, ask friends to accompany you.
- Always let someone know your plans.
Protect yourself
- Always trust yourself and your instincts.
- Consider carrying a personal attack alarm and take a mobile phone with you whenever you go out.
- Keep your routine varied and take different routes to and from work if you can.
- Talk to the police about installing CCTV, a panic button or alarm system in your home.
- Find out where your nearest safe location is. For example, a police station or nearby supermarket with security guards and CCTV.
- Contact your phone provider or company, to see what action they can take against malicious callers.
- If your stalker is an ex-partner, and you're going into a refuge or emergency accommodation for your own safety, it is important to disconnect any smartphone devices or online accounts, such as Netflix, which may enable them to track your location.
Be aware of online safety
- Check your computer for malware and key logging software.
- Keep your anti-virus software up to date.
- Report stalking and harassment activity to website administrators.
- Check your privacy settings and try to set social media pages to private.
- Limit the information you share about yourself online.
- Frequently change your passwords. Ensure you create strong passwords and never use the same password for everything.
If you find out who your stalker is
- Never confront or engage your stalker in conversation.
- Do not respond to any calls, letters, or messages. Once a stalker has your attention, they may feel encouraged to carry on.
- Never, under any circumstances, agree to a meet your stalker to talk about how you feel about their behaviour.
- Always seek advice from the police, a solicitor, or the National Stalking Helpline about what you should do.
Get support
Services
- National charity supporting all victims of crime
- Can offer support without contacting police or the justice system
Contacts and links
- Website
- Call Supportline on 08 08 16 89 111
- Text Relay: use the Relay UK app or contact us in BSL
- Start a live chat
- Fill out an online service request form
- Download the Support Space App
Services
- National Stalking Helpline (NOT a 24hr crisis service)
- Support for victims of stalking and harassment, as well as campaigning on awareness and protection policy, and running training for professionals, and an intervention programme with offenders
Contacts and links
- Website
- Call the helpline on 0808 802 0300 (9.30am to 8pm Mon and Weds, 9.30 to 4pm Tues, Thurs and Fri)
- Complete an online referral form for victims, friends or family
- Use the online Am I being stalked? tool to assess your situation
- Complete a professional service referral form
Services
- Work with high-risk stalking victims to protect and support
- Run stalking awareness training for professionals
- Train specialist advocacy caseworkers to support stalking victims
Contacts and links
- Website
- Call 020 3866 4107 (service referral, for victims who are assessed as at high risk of violence)
- Email info@paladinservice.co.uk
Services
National charity working to:
- raise awareness of stalking with communities
- encourage local community-based support for victims
- provide risk assessment and safety planning for victims
Contacts and links
- Website
- Email support@protectionagainststalking.org (non-emergency support)
Services
- Expert help for victims of cyber crime and online harm
Contacts and links
- Website
- View or download online guides to help you deal with harassment and bullying, cyberstalking or online grooming
- Live online webchat
Related forms of abuse
Stalking and harassment often happen in combination with other forms of domestic abuse. Find out more by visiting our separate pages on: