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uk Personal safety & immediate danger

What to do if…
you think someone is following you and they are still nearby

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

Short answer

Move into a staffed, public place such as a shop, café, hotel lobby, petrol station shop, or transport hub. Call 999 if you feel at immediate risk, and do not go home or somewhere quiet.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t go straight home or reveal where you live by heading there.
  • Don’t confront them, argue, or try to prove what they are doing.
  • Don’t duck into an empty alley, stairwell, car park corner, or quiet side street to see if they pass.
  • Don’t get into a stranger’s car or go somewhere private to talk.
  • Don’t drain your phone battery by filming openly, posting online, or repeatedly checking apps.
  • Don’t assume you must be certain before contacting police; feeling unsafe is enough to ask for help.
  • Don’t hang up if you have dialled 999; stay on and explain if you can, or use the silent-call steps below if you cannot speak.

What to do now

  1. Change the environment, not your courage. Walk into the nearest staffed place that is open, such as a shop, petrol station kiosk, café, hotel reception, busy pub, station concourse, or staffed ticket area. Stand where staff and other people can see you.
  2. Tell a staff member clearly: “I think someone is following me and they are still nearby. Can I stay here while I call the police?” Ask them to keep you inside, move you away from the entrance, and call 999 with you if needed.
  3. Call the right number. If you feel in immediate danger, the person is approaching, threatening, blocking you, waiting outside, or you cannot safely leave, call 999. If you are now safe inside and need to report what happened or ask for non-emergency police advice, call 101.
  4. If you are on the rail network, move towards staff, CCTV, help points, a staffed barrier, or a busy platform area. In Great Britain, you can contact British Transport Police for non-emergency rail incidents by texting 61016; in an emergency, call 999. In Northern Ireland, use 999 or 101 to contact police.
  5. Make it harder for the person to wait you out. Stay inside. Ask staff or security to watch the entrance, note whether the person is lingering outside, and move you to a safer staff-visible area if possible.
  6. If you cannot speak safely on a 999 call, still dial 999. If you can, whisper, cough, or tap keys to answer questions. If you are calling from a mobile and cannot speak, you may be prompted to press 55 so the call is transferred to police; give your location if you can.
  7. Create a quiet safety net. Call someone you trust and keep them on the line. Share your live location if you can do it without stepping outside. If you can safely note details, write down clothing, height, direction of travel, vehicle details, or where they are standing, without staring or escalating.
  8. If you are in a car, keep the doors locked and do not drive home. Drive to a busy, well-lit, staffed place such as a 24-hour petrol station shop, supermarket, hotel, or police station public counter if one is nearby and open. Call 999 if you feel at risk and follow the call handler’s instructions.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide whether this counts as stalking or harassment right now.
  • You do not need to gather perfect evidence, take photos, or record video.
  • You do not need to confront them, warn them, or message anyone who might be connected to them.
  • You do not need to make long-term plans tonight; your only job is to get to, and stay in, a safer place and bring in help if needed.

Important reassurance

It is normal to second-guess yourself in this situation. Moving somewhere staffed and asking for help is a reasonable response even if you are not certain what is happening.

Scope note

These are first steps to stabilise the moment. If this becomes repeated, involves someone known to you, or continues near your home, work, school, or regular route, later decisions may need specialist support or formal reporting.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, medical, therapeutic, financial, or other professional advice. If you feel in immediate danger, call 999.

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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