What is stalking?
What is stalking?
Stalking is a form of harassment, where the stalker develops an obsession with the person they're targeting, and their repeated, unwanted behaviour makes the victim feel distressed or scared. If this unwanted behaviour happens two times or more, it may be a crime, and you can report it to us.
Stalking and harassment are offences under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. They're crimes we take very seriously and we're here for you if this is something you're experiencing.
Are you a victim of stalking?
There are four warning signs of stalking. They are: fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated behaviour.
It can make you feel scared, anxious, unsafe or afraid, and may involve a range of different actions, both online and offline. Some are obvious, while others seem small or harmless on their own but form part of a larger pattern of behaviour. Whatever form it takes, stalking is never ok.
Stalking behaviour may include:
- following someone
- going uninvited to their home
- hanging around somewhere they know the person often visits
- watching or spying on someone
- identity theft (signing-up to services, buying things in someone's name)
- writing or posting online about someone if it's unwanted or the person doesn't know
It's stalking if the unwanted behaviour has happened two times or more and made you feel scared, distressed or threatened.
If you, or someone you know, is being stalked there are things you can do to help deal with it. You don’t have to put up with this behaviour or suffer in silence.
If you're being stalked or harassed:
- keep all contact with the stalker or harasser to a minimum
- do talk to trusted family, friends, neighbours, colleagues, or your manager about what's happening, if you feel comfortable doing so
- trust your instincts and remember it's not your fault
- report stalking or harassment to us
You don't need to collect 'evidence' before you report stalking or harassment to us. If you are keeping a record of what's happened, it's useful if you:
- record each incident as soon as possible afterwards and note the time and date
- note details of any witnesses who may have seen or heard anything
- keep a record of how the person harassing you looked; for example details of what they were wearing or their vehicle
- keep messages or record any phone calls you receive
- ask neighbours, friends and people you work with to record any details if they witness anything
Online stalking could involve stalking through social media, harassment by text message or humiliation by posting pictures or videos.
It can happen to anyone but it most often happens alongside other types of stalking and harassment.
There are steps you can take to keep yourself safe, but you should only do what’s safe for you.
Check social media account settings
Check the privacy settings on all your social media accounts.
The National Cyber Security Centre has advice on how to check your settings on all the major social media platforms (Facebook, X.com, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat and TikTok).
Protect your devices
Protect your phone, tablet and computers by using a strong password or PIN, or use a combination of both.
Make sure you have antivirus and a firewall installed on your devices and that they’re up-to-date. This detects spyware that may have been installed on your devices and any files that are unsafe to open. Find out more from Get Safe Online.
Control who you share your location with on your devices and apps
You can easily be tracked if your location is activated on your phone or other devices. Some apps turn location settings on automatically, but you can turn them off by going into your settings:
- turn off location settings for Android devices
- turn off location settings for Apple devices
Or you can choose to share your location only with trusted friends and family:
- share location settings for Android devices
- share location settings for Apple devices
Emergency contacts/SOS messages
Many phones, smart watches and fitness devices can be set up to send your last known location to emergency contacts, but if your named contact is stalking or harassing you, remove them.
Find out how:
Apple AirTags and other Bluetooth trackers
These trackers are used to help people find lost items, but if they're dropped into a bag or pocket, or they're hidden in a car, they can be used to stalk people.
If you find a tracker that isn’t yours, photograph it where you found it (if it’s safe to do so), and if you think it's part of a pattern of stalking or harassment, either report it to us or tell the officer who's dealing with your case, if it's an on-going case.
Internet of things and smart devices
These are internet-connected devices that include everything from doorbells to washing machines.
Some of these devices can be used by stalkers or harassers to eavesdrop, or carry out harassment.
If you have any smart devices in your home that have been set up by a stalker who no longer lives in your house, consider doing these things:
- apply a factory reset to the device, then set it up from scratch with your own account
- use strong separate passwords on smart device accounts
- if it’s not essential that the device is online, think about disconnecting it
Change your Wi-Fi password
Change the password that you were given to begin with to a stronger password.
Avoid using social media or online banking when using public Wi-Fi as it’s often insecure and your details could be stolen. To stay safe while using public Wi-Fi connect to a virtual private network (VPN).
Online banking
If you’re worried about being locked out of your bank accounts or someone limiting access to your money, speak to your bank. Some banks can flag an account that might be at risk.
If you, or someone you know, is being stalked or harassed, you can report it to us, but if you don't feel ready to contact us yet, you can get advice and help from these organisations that understand your specific needs.
Local support organisations
Victim Support Stalking Service: Path to Safety
A free and confidential stalking support service operating across South Wales. Provides trained Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworkers (ISACs), who can offer specialist support and advice to victims of stalking.
Call 0300 30 30 161 or email [email protected].
National support organisations
Protection Against Stalking
A national charity raising awareness of stalking and harassment and supporting victims and their families.
Suzy Lamplugh Trust
The Suzy Lamplugh Trust is a charity that provides training, advice and campaigns for personal safety and stalking awareness. It runs the National Stalking Helpline and supports victims of stalking.
National Stalking Helpline (0808 8020 300)
Offers practical help for anyone who has been affected by stalking or harassment and has an online tool that can help you identify whether you're being stalked.
Paladin Service
Provides trained Independent Stalking Advocacy Caseworkers (ISACs) who can offer specialist support and advice to victims of stalking. They will help work with the victim and the police throughout an investigation, and give support to the victim during the court process. Victims can get support from an ISAC even if they haven’t reported to the police yet.
Paladin also has ISACs who work with young people (aged 16 and above) who have been victims of stalking.
Alice Ruggles Trust
Raises awareness of coercive control and stalking to help victims seek help sooner.
Karma Nirvana
A specialist charity for victims and survivors of so-called 'honour’-based abuse in the UK.
Refuge
Helps victims rebuild their lives and overcome different forms of violence and abuse.
Refuge runs the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247).
Unwanted Prisoner Contact Service Helpline: 0300 060 6699
Offers advice to anyone receiving unwanted contact from an offender who is in prison. The helpline is available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. You can also email [email protected] or make a 'non-contact' request on the gov.uk website.
Online stalking or harassment
Revenge Porn Helpline
Advice, guidance and support for adults (over 18).
The Cyber Helpline
Free expert help for victims of cybercrime and online harm.
National Cyber Security Centre
Advice on improving your security online.
Support for young people
The Mix
Provides free, confidential support for young people under 25 via online, social media and mobile phone.
Hollie Gazzard Trust
Helps young people understand the dangers of unhealthy relationships. Works with schools and colleges to raise awareness about domestic abuse, stalking and coercive control. Offers a free personal safety app, the Hollie Guard.
@yourpolice.uk
Instagram account that provides a safe space and advice for teenagers.
Further advice
Find more support at Victim and witness support organisations.
Stalking and harassment are very similar offences. Don't worry if you're not sure whether you're being stalked or harassed. If you report it to us, just tell us what's been happening and we'll be able to explain if an offence has been committed and what that offence is.