What to do if you are being stalked

Contact the police

You should contact the police and make a complaint. Police will investigate the complaint. If there is enough evidence they will charge the stalker. Your notes and memory of the events will provide the evidence needed to prosecute the stalker. You can do this even if there is not enough evidence for the police to proceed with the charge of stalking. Explain the problem to them as clearly as you can.

Protection orders

If you are being stalked by someone you have dated, or by a partner, former partner, informal carer or family member, you may be able to obtain a protection order under the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act 1989. If possible, keep a diary. You should make notes about the stalking behaviour to help you when you make a complaint. Write down the date, time, place, what the stalker did and how or why it frightened you.

Do not approach the stalker

All stalking should be seen as potentially dangerous. Approaching or talking to the stalker is unwise, even if you know each other. If you feel that asking the stalker to stop the offensive behaviour is safe, do it in the presence of a friend. Do not take any chances. If you don’t feel safe, don’t do it.

Domestic violence legislation

If you already have a domestic violence order against the stalker and the stalking behaviour breaches the order, you may be able to take action under the domestic violence legislation as well as, or instead of, under the stalking legislation. The aim of the domestic violence legislation is to allow courts to make protection orders and have breaches of those orders prosecuted. The purpose of the stalking legislation is to have stalking behaviour prosecuted whether or not it breaches a court order.

Talk to a legal service

You do not need a lawyer, but discussing the matter with a legal service can help you understand what may happen in your case. Find out more about agencies who can help you.