Potentially being over cautious, but spotted going in my house

[beingcautiousnotmean]

There’s a man in my village who makes me feel incredibly uncomfortable. When out walking my dog I regularly came across him and would walk past him, but then on my circular route would walk past him multiple times from different directions that just didn’t make sense unless he was changing direction. There was an instance where after this happened I turned back around on myself instead of continuing and bolted back to my house, out of my upstairs window I saw him appear on my road minutes after I got back which again, wouldn’t of happened unless he changed direction. This same night he was reported to the police by a neighbour as they had found him in their car, it had been left unlocked. It was called a mental health crisis. I told the police what had happened but nothing came of it, we were told he wasn’t dangerous and just had some troubles. I stopped walking my dog in our village and have been either having my husband do it or I walk him elsewhere. This was all nearly a year ago, and I’ve recently started walking my dog in my village again but unfortunately today I encountered him again when I was arriving home from a walk, stood unlocking my front door and talking to a neighbour he walked past and looked right at me. I feel intimidated that he knows where I live. I know I might be being judgemental but I find his demeanour just, off. I get a really bad vibe from him. It might be nothing but as a woman you can’t be too careful. I don’t really know what I can do? Nothing I guess?

Have you posted this before as I read the exact same thing on here.

Get a camera on your door so you can see who is approaching if he starts loitering.

The fact he will have seen your husband walking the dog is a good thing so he knows you don't live alone.

OP report it to the police.

If it is a small village it is likely they have had reports from other people about him already and the more people make a fuss the more they are likely to act.

If he is mentally imbalanced then he needs to be under supervision from social services/healthcare professionals, not roaming around and freaking out everyone. It would also be the best thing for him to have support workers who can check on him regularly so you are not doing him any harm by reporting it.

In the meantime make sure you get yourself a rape alarm, always carry your phone. I would also keep something like an umbrella or a flash light on you as you are aloud to use something like that in case of self-defence to try to fight someone off. Although in this case I would go with the dog pepper spray suggestion too...

Regardless of what happened with the neighbour's car, this man hasn't actually done anything to warrant contacting the police. He hasn't committed a crime against the OP. However if you feel unsettled by him knowing where you live, invest in a ring doorbell. Keep an eye on your surroundings when walking the dog. As someone said, maybe your husband could do it for a while. I know you shouldn't have to.

'If he is mentally imbalanced then he needs to be under supervision from social services/healthcare professionals, not roaming around and freaking out everyone.'

He needs to be under supervision because he likes to walk around the village all the time?

Actually where I live now, in the UK, we have at least 3 who ramble around and one had something quite weird coming out of his eyes, but once you get to know who they are and that they are the local rambler with the disability, then you just start ignoring them

PaulCostinRIP · Today 09:14

Have you posted this before as I read the exact same thing on here.

@PaulCostinRIP

You have much too good a memory to be on MN.

@MamaAlwaysknowsbest could you be any more dehumanising and ableist? Village idiot?? "at least three who ramble around"??!
These are your fellow human beings you're talking about.

I mentioned that these people were called the village idiot in the olden days, we had 3 of them in my village and we have 3 here where I live in the UK

Is historical refference an offense now? OK, I thought this is free speech forum.

Trust your instincts..get some pepper spray if you’re going to keep walking the dogs

Always follow your gut. If something feels off, it usually is.
At least you are aware and so can be cautious and vigilant. If walking, stay near to houses - or drive your dog to another location to walk. Not ideal long term, but I genuinely believe we should all follow our gut instinct - there is actually science behind it, as your brain signals are linked to your gut!

This is the definition of stalking and it sounds like this to me. Therefore this is a police matter. Just because he may or may not have mental health or learning difficulties does not mean he is beyond the reproach of the law.

Imagine if he is doing it to others, who may be more vulnerable than the OP, eg children.

If you read the article soon like it's difficult to prove so keep a log of events.

Any update OP?

You could carry a pepper spray maybe. Sad that it has come to this. I would keep reporting any uncomfortable incidents. If people never report it happening then no authorities know about it. I am guessing this is worse that what I call the area's 'weird Tony'. Weird Tony is that strange man you see around town that people tell stories about. Could be true, could be not, but you do see him about acting a bit odd. Anyway, maybe pepper spray in hand? Depending on your dog breed it may defend you if you are in distress, although not ideal if the dog bites someone in legal terms. Go out with husband more if possible, I doubt this man would bother if there is another man there. Otherwise keep reporting or keep a log at home of incidents. I hope this gets better.