Advice

What is stalking?

Stalking is a range of behaviours that if taken in isolation, might appear innocent.  However when they are linked as a ‘course of conduct’ they may be sufficient to cause fear, alarm of distress to the victim and amount to harassment contrary to the Protection of Harassment Act 1997.   Examples of stalking behaviour include:

-Following you

- Turning up at your home or work-place for no reason

- Sending you texts and emails

-Sending  you letters, cards, ‘presents’

- Targeting your friends, family and neighbours including sending them letters, cards and phoning them etc

- Vandalising your property

I’m being stalked – am I in danger?

Check out the document on the right hand side of the page to find out more information about the risk a stalking suspect might pose.

How do I tell if I’m being stalked?

We know that many people who are being stalked don’t recognize that what’s happening to them.  Stalking can be very different from what yo see in the films – it isn’t just about a sinister figure lurking in the bushes.   In fact 50% of stalking cases involve ex-partners.  Some stalking suspects might be known to the victim, some may be friends or acquaintances – in other cases victims have no idea who’s targeting them.

What should  I do if I’m being stalked?

• Show no emotion – even if you’re angry or frightened.   Never confront or agree to meet a stalker. If you do come into contact, aim to get away ideally to a busy place.
• Contact your local police. Keep a note of the name of the Officer in charge of the case and the crime reference number if applicable. (To find out what to expect when you make a complaint of stalking to the police visit see our Victim’s Version of the Police Guidelines on Investigating Stalking in England and Wales on our law in England and Wales page) Keep the police informed about anything that happens relating to the case.
• If you ever feel in imminent danger, call 999. Rely on your instinct.  Previous stalking cases show that it can work. 
• Inform your neighbours, relatives, friends and work colleagues of what is happening to you. They should keep records of sightings and notify you of anything they see.
• Gather evidence. Texts, emails, letters or parcels are all valuable. If you have a camera or video camera, record anything that could be proof of what is happening.

How do I gather evidence of stalking?

• Keep a diary with as much detail as possible. Record the details of anything suspicious. Note down dates, times, places, descriptions of clothing etc.  Describe what emotional effect the stalking is having on you. The diary may assist the police in their investigation by providing valuable evidence. To make sure this record can be used at any later Court hearing, it must be ‘recorded contemporaneously’ that means write it down immediately while it is still fresh in your mind.  Example diary entries:

Friday August 28^th 2009

I wake up at 7.05am and open my bedroom curtains.  I see X outside my neighbour’s house opposite.  He is sitting in his car – a dark blue Audi estate registration PDE XXX.  He is wearing a red base-ball cap and black sunglasses.  He is wearing a dark coat.  He looks up at my window and smiles at me.  This  makes me feel very distressed.  I feel as if he wanted me to know he’d been watching my house.  I don’t feel safe in my own home any more.

Sunday August 30^th 2009

My phone rings at 7.05am.  It goes through to answer-phone. The caller does not leave a message.  Then at 7.07am my mobile rings – it is number withheld.  Then my land-line rings again at 7.08am.  I pick up the phone but no-one speaks. I feel very angry.  It’s Sunday on a bank holiday weekend and it’s like he wants to remind me that there’s no relaxation time for me.  I can’t forget about him even on a bank holiday.

• Keep a record of every unsolicited article you’re sent.  It may be connected to your stalker.  Note the date, time and what you received. Make your notes while things are still fresh in your mind.
• Keep any suspicious letters or parcels you receive. Either pass them on to the Police or if you want to open them yourself, reduce the risk of finger-print contamination by wearing gloves. Don’t allow anyone else to handle them.
• Help any future investigation by keeping envelopes and packaging as well.
• Preserve evidence by handling the item as little as possible; don’t fold, pin or staple any documents, place in a larger envelope or paper bag but don’t write on this.
• Preserve evidence on wet or damp items by putting them in a plastic bag and putting them in the freezer.
• If you don’t want to or can’t keep something you’ve been sent, try to take a photo or video as a record.  Put a ruler or tape measure alongside to give an indication of the size of the object.

 What can I do about silent or malicious calls?

• Do not enter into a conversation with the caller.
• If you’re being stalked by phone, use 1471 and note the number the stalker has called from.
• If you are a BT customer, there are a range of options that might assist – see www.bt.custhelp.com Or contact BT Malicious Calls Bureau on 0800 661 441 (24hrs, 7 days a week).
• Make notes about any calls made by your stalker – even if they were silent or unanswered. Remember to do this as soon as the calls have happened so your notes are ‘contemporaneous’ and can be used as evidence in court.
• Save any text messages from your stalker and make a note of what they say and the time and date they were received.
• Remove your telephone number from direct marketing lists by registering with the Telephone Preference Service at Telephone Preference  (www.tpsonline.org.uk) Registration Line:   0845 070 0707
• Remove your fax number from direct marketing lists by registering with the Fax Preference Service at Fax Preference, (www.fpsonline.org.uk)  registration Line:  08450 700 70
• Don’t give away any personal information about yourself or those you live with unless you’re familiar with the caller.
• Don’t leave an answer-phone message or voicemail saying you’re on holiday etc.  Simply say you can’t take the call at the moment. You could also say ‘we can’t take your call at the moment’ instead of ‘I’ if you live alone. It’s also an idea to have a male voice reading a message on your answering machine – that may deter some malicious callers.
• Women – don’t give details of your sex or marital status in the phone book.  Simply use your initials instead of your first name.

 I’m being followed. What should I do?

•  Try to stay calm.  If you’re in a car don’t put yourself and others at risk by driving erratically. Slow down safely so whoever’s following will have to go past you. Do not attempt to confront them.
• Keep a notepad and pen handy. If your stalker is seen, at the next available safe opportunity, note down details, location, description of person, vehicle details, especially the registration number/make of car. If necessary, call the police.
• If you are in heavy traffic, try not to get too close to the car in front of you. This will leave enough room for manoeuvre should you need to get out of the queue.
• Drive to the nearest police station/court house to seek assistance. If you feel in imminent physical danger, stop safely and use your mobile phone to dial 999.

Tips to reduce the risk of stalking:

• Limit the amount of information about yourself that’s in the public domain. Once you give your name, address, telephone and email details on to third party; whether it’s a shop or a marketing company the information is ‘out there’.  It could be sold on to other marketing companies and increases the risk of a stalker finding your whereabouts.
• It’s now possible to make sure your name and address don’t appear on the electoral register. You can receive a certificate of anonymous registration. (But you do still have the choice to send this information through to credit reference agencies so you’ll still be able to get a credit rating.) To get a certificate of anonymous registration you will need a court order that is in force, or a qualified person to support your application. This registration lasts for one year and does not apply in Northern Ireland. See the notes in Section 8 of the application form.  For more details go to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk.
• Consider obtaining a secure PO Box No for your contact address. Details can be found on the Royal Mail website www.royalmail.com or by contacting them on 08457 950 950. An accompanying letter from the police will be required for your application.
• Remove your name and address from direct mail marketing lists by contacting the-Mailing Preference Service at Mailing Preference, (www.mpsonline.org.uk) Registration Line: 0845 703 4599.

Disclaimer

This web-site has been created only to give general guidance to the victims of stalking and others who are interested in this subject and you should not rely on it. We do not intend it to be a substitute for taking legal or other professional advice. Before taking any legal or other action please take legal and, if necessary, other professional advice. We will not be responsible for anything you do or do not do as a result of the information and advice given on this web-site.