If You Think You’re Being Followed

Realising that somebody may be following you can be frightening.

The first thing to remember is that somebody travelling in the same direction does not automatically mean they are following you.

There may be a perfectly innocent explanation.

Rather than trying to immediately decide what their intentions are, concentrate on what you can observe and what options are available to you.

Look for a pattern

Think back to baseline behaviour.

One person walking behind you may mean very little.

What happens as the situation develops gives you more information.

For example, you might notice that the person:

• remains behind you after several changes of direction

• crosses the road when you cross

• changes direction when you do

• repeatedly changes their pace to remain close

• waits when you stop

• continues following when your route changes

One action does not prove anything.

A developing pattern gives you more reason to act.

Don’t concentrate on proving it

You do not need to prove that somebody is following you before taking sensible precautions.

Your priority is not to investigate them.

It is to improve your position.

Ask yourself:

Where are other people?

Where is somewhere I could go?

Can I change my route?

Can I get help?

Move towards people

If you are concerned, avoid continuing towards somewhere isolated simply because that was your original route.

Move towards somewhere with other people.

This could be:

• an open shop

• a café or restaurant

• a hotel

• a petrol station

• a staffed transport area

• security staff

• another busy public place

Once inside, you can reassess what is happening.

Don’t lead someone home

If you genuinely believe somebody may be following you, avoid continuing directly to your home or another private location if you have a safer alternative.

Instead, consider moving somewhere public and getting help.

If you are driving, the same principle applies.

Avoid stopping somewhere isolated to confront the person.

Move towards a safe, public or staffed location and contact the police if appropriate.

Use your phone carefully

Your phone can help you contact somebody, arrange transport or get help.

But avoid becoming so focused on your screen or conversation that you stop noticing what is happening around you.

If possible, move somewhere safer first.

Then use your phone.

You might contact someone you trust and tell them:

• where you are

• what you have noticed

• where you are going

If you believe you are in immediate danger, contact the emergency services when it is safe to do so.

Ask for help

If you enter a business or staffed location, tell somebody what is happening.

Be clear.

For example:

“I think someone may be following me. Can I wait here for a moment?”

or:

“That person has followed me for several streets. Can you help me?”

You do not have to manage the situation alone.

Avoid confrontation

If possible, avoid confronting the person to find out whether they are following you.

Walking towards them, challenging them or trying to photograph them at close range may reduce the distance between you and create a confrontation that did not previously exist.

Your priority is creating options, not obtaining proof.

If the person approaches you

If they begin approaching or interacting with you, reassess.

Maintain distance where possible.

Move towards other people.

Set a clear boundary if appropriate:

“Stay back.”

“Leave me alone.”

“Don’t come any closer.”

If the situation becomes an immediate threat, attract attention and get help.

NOTICE → THINK → ACT

NOTICE

Are they simply travelling in the same direction?

Has a pattern developed?

Are they responding to changes I make?

THINK

Where are other people?

Where could I go?

Do I need to contact someone?

Is the situation becoming more urgent?

ACT

Change your route.

Move towards people.

Enter an open or staffed location.

Ask for help.

Contact the emergency services if necessary.

You may never know whether the person genuinely intended to follow you.

You don’t need to.

The important thing is that you recognised a developing pattern and made a decision that gave you more options.

The earlier you notice something, the more options you have.