Stalking and harassment
Definitions of stalking and harassment
Stalking and harassment are offences under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
Definition of stalking
Stalking is fixated, persistent and unwanted attention that makes you feel pestered and harassed.
It includes behaviour that happens two or more times, directed at or towards you by another person, which causes you to:
- feel alarmed or distressed
- fear that violence might be used against you
Stalking is illegal, telephone 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger.
Definition of harassment
Harassment is unwanted behaviour that has happened more than once. Harassment includes:
- cyber stalking (using the internet to harass someone)
- sending abusive text messages
- sending unwanted gifts
- unwanted phone calls, letters, emails or visits