What to Do if Someone Follows You at Night: A UK-Specific Safety Guide

What to do if someone is following you

Walking alone at night can feel unsettling, especially if you think someone may be following you. While most journeys end safely, knowing what to do if a situation arises; can help you stay calm, make clear decisions, and reduce risk.

Our goal at Brixton self defence is to help you feel safer and more informed in your day to day life and hopefully this article will give you some principles you can use on your journeys home.

Something Doesn’t Feel Right…

If something feels wrong, it’s worth paying attention. Feeling fear isn’t something to shy away from it is a natural response that allows us to be more aware and prepared in our day to day life. That said all fear must be put into context and we must not allow our fears to rule us rather use it as a guid on whether and how we should act, and learning your options can help you act quickly and confidently if a situation escalates.

Recognising the Signs You’re Being Followed

It’s not always obvious whether someone is following you or just heading the same way. Possible warning signs include:

• Someone matching your pace over a long distance

• Taking the same turns repeatedly, especially after you change direction

• Stopping when you stop, then continuing when you do

• Keeping a consistent distance behind you

• Making you feel uneasy for no clear reason

Trust your instincts and test them, turn around walk the other way, cross the road do they follow you or keep looking at you? If you are still unsure take steps to protect yourself.

Immediate Actions to Take

Stay Calm and Alert

• Keep your head up and stay aware of your surroundings

• Avoid distractions like headphones or scrolling on your phone

• Keep your phone unlocked and ready to use

Panic can cloud judgement. Calm awareness gives you options.

Find a public place

• Avoid quite streets, side roads and parks

• If you believe you are being followed enter a shop, pub, takeaway, petrol station, hotel etc.

• Ask for help!

Most predators are looking for an easy target, make it hard for them to isolate you and reduce the chances of becoming a victim.

Use Your Phone Strategically

• Call someone you trust and speak out loud

• Say where you are and what’s happening

• If you can’t talk freely, pretend you’re on a call

Your voice can deter someone and alert others nearby.

What to Do If You Feel in Immediate Danger

If you believe you’re at risk right now, call 999.

When speaking to the operator:

• Say clearly that you feel unsafe and think you’re being followed

• Give your location (street name, nearby landmarks, postcode if possible)

• Describe the person following you and which direction you’re heading

Stay on the line if advised. The police take these calls seriously.

If the situation is concerning but not immediate, you can report it later via 101.

Reporting helps police identify patterns and protect others, even if no crime occurred.

Self-Defence and the Law in the UK

• It is illegal to carry weapons for self-defence (including pepper spray or knives) this is considered premeditated and therefore does not fall under the purview of self defence under UK law

• You are allowed to use reasonable force to protect yourself if attacked

• Everyday items should not be carried with the intention of use as a weapon

Your priority is to reduce harm to yourself and use appropriate force for the situation. You can read more on this topic in this article.

Reasonable force in Self Defence

If You’re Approached or Confronted

If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation where someone has approached you with malicious intent it is important to know and practice what to do. In our self defence classes we will train your responses so that you know how to respond in high stress situations, our training will reduce the likelihood of you freezing in the confrontation and give you the tools to either deescalate, fight or escape from the situation while causing minimum harm to yourself and others.

If you are unable to make it our classes here are some basic principles to adhere to:

• Keep distance where possible

• Use a loud, confident voice to draw attention

• Shout phrases like “Leave me alone” or “I don’t know you”

• Focus on getting away, not engaging

Creating attention can be a powerful deterrent as a predator is looking for an easy victim.

After You’re Safe

Once you have managed to escape the confrontation, it is important to make sure you get to a place of safety ASAP and ask for help. This can be any of the places we mentioned earlier. We would then recommend you call the police to reduce the chances of the criminal striking again

It’s also normal to feel shaken afterwards. Talk to someone you trust.

Prevention Tips for Walking Alone at Night

• Plan your route in advance

• Travel in a group

• Let someone know when you’re travelling

• Share your live location if possible

• Stick to well-lit, familiar routes

• Wear clothing you can move in easily

• Carry your phone charged and accessible

• Stay aware of your surroundings, no scrolling or headphones

Small habits can make a big difference.

Final Reassurance

Feeling concerned about your safety is valid. Being alert doesn’t mean living in fear, it means being prepared. Trust your instincts and prioritise your safety. If you want to learn how to apply these skills in a safe environment then our self defence classes are a great place to start.

You deserve to feel safe getting home. Book your free trial class today!