To ask about reporting stalking

[MinnieSota]

Have name changed for this. I’m a bit shaken up after another incident involving me being contacted (this time chased!) by someone I don’t want to have any contact with. Previous incidents include text messages, calls, then letters and cards to my house, presents sent to my house, flowers sent to my workplace and also this person showing up at a social place that I frequent and walking past several times watching me. Today was the first time being followed. I don’t want to give too many details but I saw this person’s vehicle, changed my route (I was on foot) immediately to one where no vehicle could get and the next hung I know I’m being followed on foot and my name is being called. I feel sick. If I report this person, what will happen and how do I actually go about reporting? Is it the non-emergency number or do I go into a station and what if they don’t believe me?

This sounds terrible, is it someone you know. I'd call 101 for advice to start with.

Yes it is someone I know that I have made clear I don’t want to contact me and they won’t stop.

Ring 101 or go to a station. If you are changing your routine to avoid this person this is stalking. Stalking hasn’t always been taken very seriously in the last but it should be now. Stalking is much more that low level harassment and should be treated as more serious.

Take notes if times and dates. If you have evidence of telling them to leave you alone make sure you have that.

Good luck.

Sorry you are going through this. I've been stalked but by an ex, which complicated things a bit.
Firstly keep a written record of EVERY incident, calls, gifts, sightings.
Yes definitely report to the police by calling 101 unless your stalker is present. In that case 999.
The web site below has lots of excellent advice.
I hope you get this resolved soon. Its terrifying and exhausting

www.suzylamplugh.org/Pages/Category/national-stalking-helpline

Don't talk to them, keep any evidence, cards, emails, texts if you can, contact the police. Keep yourself safe, we are here for you. Call 999 if you feel this person is out to harm you.

Thank you I am nearly in tears from your kind words. I have evidence of items sent to my home and I have evidence on my mobile phone.

You MUST go to the police immediately. The authorities take stalking very, very seriously. Be sure to make hard copies of any and all contact and start keeping a log. Don't wait to go to the police.

Sorry you are experiencing this, it’s horrible isn’t it. After seeking advice from the National Stalking Helpline, I called the local police station and spoke for a while to someone there. They gave me an appointment time to go in to the station and meet an officer to speak about the situation. I took the evidence I had with me and would echo keeping a diary. If you can remember dates and times p, witnesses etc now write it all down and take it with you.

The police officer gave me a log number and his card which I’ve kept in my purse ever since but thankfully never needed again. He went and spoke to the person involved that night, making it clear that any form of contact was unwanted and then the police officer came straight to my house (at 11.30pm 😱) and reassured me about what had been done and what steps to take if there was any further problem. Thankfully there wasn’t (touch wood!) and it’s been a few years now with no further contact. Best of luck!