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uk Personal safety & immediate danger

What to do if…
someone is pressuring you to reveal where you live or where you are staying

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Do not give your address, hotel name, room number, street, landmark, or next destination. End the conversation and move to a safer, public, staffed place; involve a friend, colleague, venue staff, reception, or security. If you feel in immediate danger, call 999.

Do not do these things

  • Do not “compromise” by giving partial details, such as a street name, nearby landmark, hotel name, room or floor, workplace, or where you are going next.
  • Do not let them walk you home, to your car, to public transport, or to your accommodation to avoid awkwardness.
  • Do not argue, justify, or try to persuade them that your boundary is reasonable.
  • Do not accept a lift, share a taxi, or go into a private space with them.
  • Do not unlock maps, booking emails, address autofill, ride apps, or messages where they can see your screen.
  • Do not post live location updates, check-ins, room views, or identifiable background photos while this is happening.
  • Do not stay alone with them because you are unsure whether it is “serious enough”.

What to do now

  1. Say the boundary once, then leave.
    Use a short line: “I’m not sharing that.” “I don’t give out my address.” “I’m going now.” Do not keep negotiating.

  2. Move towards people and staff.
    Go to a bar, reception desk, front desk, security desk, staffed shop, ticket office, or another busy place with employees. If you are outside, go back inside somewhere staffed if you can do that safely.

  3. Tell someone exactly what is happening.
    If you are with someone, say: “I need help. Please stay with me. They keep asking where I live.” If you are alone, tell staff or security: “This person will not stop asking where I live or where I am staying. I need help getting away safely.”

  4. Protect your accommodation details.
    If you are staying in a hotel, hostel, guest house, or similar place, contact reception from a safe spot. Ask them not to confirm your stay, room number, or visitor details to anyone who asks, and ask what they can do about calls, visitors, or someone waiting nearby.

  5. Leave without showing your destination.
    Ask a friend, staff member, security, or reception to stay with you while you leave or wait somewhere safer. If you need a taxi or ride, arrange it from inside and avoid waiting alone outside if possible.

  6. Save what you already have.
    Keep messages, call logs, usernames, photos, or booking-related contact if relevant. Make a short note of the time, date, place, what they asked, and anything identifying, such as a name used, description, clothing, vehicle, or who witnessed it. Do not delay getting help to collect more.

  7. Use official help if it is escalating, repeated, or threatening.
    If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. If it is not an emergency but you want police advice or to report what happened, call 101, contact police online through GOV.UK or your local police force, or go to a police station. If you want specialist advice about ongoing unwanted contact, contact the National Stalking Helpline.

What can wait

  • You do not have to decide now whether this is stalking, harassment, flirting, social awkwardness, or something else.
  • You do not have to decide now whether to make a formal report or complaint.
  • You do not need perfect evidence before asking for help.
  • You can decide later whether to block them, report them on an app, change routines, tell more people, or seek longer-term support.
  • You do not have to explain your address privacy to the person asking.

Important reassurance

It is reasonable to protect where you live or where you are staying. A person who will not accept a vague answer is crossing a boundary, and you are allowed to end the conversation, move away, and involve other people.

Scope note

These are first steps for the next minutes to hours. If the behaviour continues in person, by phone, through messages, online, or through other people, later decisions may need specialist help with safety planning, reporting options, housing or accommodation privacy, or legal advice.

Important note

This guide is general information, not legal, medical, therapeutic, financial, or other professional advice. If you feel unsafe or threatened, prioritise getting to a safer place and contacting emergency services. In an emergency, call 999.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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