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uk Personal safety & immediate danger

What to do if…
someone is trying to force their way into your home right now

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Move away from the entry point to the safest place you can reach without approaching the person. Lock yourself in if possible, call 999, ask for the police, and follow the call handler’s instructions.

Do not do these things

  • Do not open the door to identify or speak to the person.
  • Do not confront, threaten, chase, or try to restrain them.
  • Do not stand near doors, windows, or other likely entry points.
  • Do not leave a safer place to protect belongings or inspect damage.
  • Do not delay calling 999 to film, post online, or contact several other people.
  • Do not reveal where you are if remaining quiet is safer.
  • Do not use an escape route that would take you towards the person.

What to do now

  1. Move away from the person and the entry point. Go to a room you can lock if one is safely reachable. Leave the property only if there is a clearly safe route away from the person.
  2. Call 999 and ask for the police. Give your full address or current location and say that someone is trying to force their way into your home now.
  3. Tell the call handler whether the person has entered, where you are, how many other people are present, and whether anyone is injured or in immediate danger. Follow their instructions.
  4. If you cannot speak safely, dial 999 and listen to the operator. Cough or tap the phone if you can, and press 55 if prompted so the call can be transferred to the police.
  5. Put your phone on silent if attackers are nearby and you can do so quickly. Keep it with you and stay connected unless the call handler tells you otherwise.
  6. Quietly alert other people in the home if this does not require moving towards the danger. Tell the call handler if a child, vulnerable person, or anyone else is elsewhere in the property.
  7. Stay in the safer place unless the call handler or attending police tell you to move, or remaining there becomes more dangerous.

What can wait

Checking damage, identifying the person, contacting your landlord or insurer, reviewing recordings, arranging repairs, cleaning up, posting warnings, and giving a full account can wait until the immediate danger has passed. You do not need to make longer-term security decisions now.

Important reassurance

Someone trying to force entry while you are inside is an appropriate reason to call 999. You do not need to know who the person is or why they are there before asking for emergency help. Your immediate priorities are distance, a safer position, and contact with the police.

Scope note

This guide covers the earliest safety steps while the attempted entry is happening. Reporting details, preserving relevant material, repairs, support, and later decisions may require help from the police, your landlord, an insurer, or another appropriate specialist once you are safe.

Important note

This is general personal-safety information and does not replace instructions from the emergency services or advice based on the specific circumstances. Follow directions given by the 999 call handler and attending police officers.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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