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uk Personal safety & immediate danger

What to do if…
someone repeatedly approaches or appears to be luring a child or vulnerable person

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

Short answer

Move with the child or vulnerable person to a safer, staffed place and call 999 if anyone is in immediate danger or a serious incident is happening. If there is no immediate danger, report the repeated behaviour promptly to the police and the appropriate safeguarding service, describing what you observed without trying to decide the person’s motive.

Do not do these things

  • Do not confront, threaten, follow, or try to detain the person.
  • Do not arrange another encounter to test what the person does.
  • Do not continue a conversation with the person to gather more proof.
  • Do not post names, photographs, vehicle details, or accusations publicly.
  • Do not press the child or vulnerable person for a detailed account or repeatedly question them.
  • Do not blame them for speaking to the person, accepting attention, or not mentioning it sooner.
  • Do not promise to keep the concern secret; explain calmly that you may need to tell someone who can help keep them safe.
  • Do not put yourself or anyone else at risk to obtain photographs or recordings.
  • Do not download, copy, or forward sexual images of a child.

What to do now

  1. Move with the child or vulnerable person towards a trusted adult, staffed premises, school office, transport worker, security point, or other busy place. Stay with them and keep a safe distance from the person.

  2. Call 999 if the person is attempting to lead or take them away, blocking their movement, threatening anyone, following them in a way that creates immediate danger, or if another serious incident is happening. Give the location, what is happening now, and the person’s direction of travel if they leave.

  3. If there is no immediate danger, report the repeated approaches to the police online or by calling 101. Explain that the behaviour has happened more than once and involves a child or vulnerable person, even if you are unsure whether an offence has occurred.

  4. Let the child or vulnerable person speak in their own words. Use only brief, calm prompts such as asking what happened and whether they feel safe; avoid suggesting answers or asking them to repeat the account.

  5. Write down what you directly observed as soon as it is safe. Include dates, times, locations, exact words or actions, descriptions, vehicle details seen, witnesses, and nearby cameras, while separating your observations from information someone else gave you.

  6. For a child, contact the local children’s social care or child protection service. For an adult who may be at risk, contact the local adult safeguarding, adult protection, or social care service. A local authority, health and social care service, GP practice, social worker, or care provider can help identify the correct route.

  7. If the approaches are connected to a school, club, care setting, transport service, or other organisation, tell its safeguarding lead or person responsible for child protection. If the concern involves that person, report it to senior management or an external safeguarding service instead.

  8. Put a simple safety arrangement in place for the next journey or activity, such as accompaniment by a trusted person or collection from a staffed location. Involve an adult at risk in decisions as far as possible and take account of their wishes unless immediate action is needed to address danger.

  9. If contact happened online, stop replying and record usernames, profile links, dates, and relevant messages already available without seeking further material. Report the account to the platform and block it; concerns about online sexual abuse or grooming of a child can also be reported to CEOP.

What can wait

You do not need to decide the person’s motive, determine whether the behaviour legally amounts to grooming, gather complete proof, or confront anyone before reporting the concern. Permanent decisions about school, care, travel, accounts, or living arrangements can wait until immediate safety has been addressed and appropriate services have advised on the next steps.

Important reassurance

You can report repeated concerning behaviour without being certain that abuse, grooming, or another offence has occurred. A calm, factual account allows the police and safeguarding professionals to assess the information alongside any other concerns or reports.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate safety, initial reporting, and making a clear record of what happened. Later decisions may require help from the police, social care, the person’s school or care provider, or another qualified safeguarding professional.

Important note

This is general safety and safeguarding information, not legal advice or a substitute for advice from the police, social care, or a qualified safeguarding professional. Call 999 if someone is in immediate danger or a serious incident is happening.

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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