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uk Personal safety & immediate danger notes under my door • objects under my door • someone sliding notes • repeated door harassment • feeling targeted at home • intimidation at my door • anonymous notes at door • unwanted contact at home • neighbour harassment flat • hallway harassment apartment • being watched at my door • stranger leaving items • doorstep stalking behaviour • ongoing nuisance at home • threatening notes at home • safety in my flat • repeated unwanted messages • unknown person in corridor • harassment at my address

What to do if…
someone is repeatedly sliding notes or objects under your door and you feel targeted

Short answer

Treat repeated notes/objects as a safety issue: stay behind your locked door and start recording each incident. If you feel in immediate danger, call 999; otherwise report it to the police via 101 (or your local force online).

Do not do these things

  • Do not open the door to confront them or “catch them in the act”.
  • Do not follow anyone into the corridor/stairwell to investigate.
  • Do not reply to the notes, slide messages back, or try to negotiate.
  • Do not throw the notes/objects away or “tidy it up” before you’ve recorded it.
  • Do not post about it publicly (including building social groups) in a way that could escalate or identify you as the reporter.
  • Do not assume it’s harmless if it’s making you feel unsafe—repetition matters.

What to do now

  1. Get to a safer pause and secure your space. Lock the door, keep the chain on if you have one, and move away from the doorway while you decide your next step.
  2. If there is any immediate threat, call 999. Examples: you hear attempts to force entry, you’re being threatened, you think someone is outside right now and you’re scared, or you feel unsafe to leave.
  3. Record what happened, each time. Take photos of the note/object where you found it (and any marks on the door/floor), then write down: date, time, what was left, and anything you heard (footsteps, voices, knocking).
  4. Keep the items safely. Put notes/objects into a clean envelope or bag, label it with the date/time found, and store it somewhere safe. Keep everything together.
  5. Tell someone and create a quick check-in. Message/call a trusted person so someone else knows this is happening. If you live alone, agree a simple check-in time for later today.
  6. Report it to the police (non-emergency). Call 101 (24/7) or use your local police force’s online reporting for stalking/harassment. Say it is repeated behaviour at your home, you feel targeted, and you are keeping a log/items. Ask for a crime/incident reference number.
  7. Notify the person who controls the building. Contact your landlord/letting agent/building manager concierge (in writing if possible). Ask them to:
    • log your report as an incident
    • check who has access to the corridor/entry systems
    • preserve any CCTV for the relevant times (footage may be overwritten on a short cycle)
    • confirm what immediate steps they can take to reduce access to your door area
  8. If you want specialist support without pressure to report, contact the National Stalking Helpline. They can help you think through safer next steps and what to document, at your pace.
  9. Make your door area harder to approach unnoticed (simple, non-escalating steps). For example: ensure the hallway light is working, ask management to fix failed entry doors, and consider a door sweep/brush strip if your door gap is large (only if allowed by your tenancy/building rules and it does not create a safety hazard).

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide right now who it is or why they’re doing it.
  • You do not need to confront neighbours, run your own investigation, or “prove” anything before reporting.
  • You do not need to make big decisions tonight (moving out, changing jobs, ending a relationship, etc.).
  • Any longer formal steps (complaints processes, legal steps) can wait until you’ve logged incidents and you’ve spoken to the police/building management or a specialist service.

Important reassurance

Feeling shaken by repeated targeted behaviour at your own door is a normal reaction. You’re not “overreacting” by taking it seriously—repetition at your home is exactly the kind of pattern that’s worth documenting and reporting early.

Scope note

This is first-steps-only guidance to stabilise the situation, reduce harm, and get the right people involved. If the behaviour continues or escalates, you may need more tailored support from the police, your housing provider, or a specialist service.

Important note

This guide is general information, not legal advice. If you believe you’re in danger, trust your judgement and contact emergency services.

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