uk Personal safety & immediate danger

What to do if…
someone repeatedly blocks your path or positions themselves to stop you leaving

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: 22 July 2026 Last reviewed: 15 August 2026 Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Move towards the nearest safer place with other people, staff, security or a clear alternative exit. Call 999 and ask for the police if you are in immediate danger, a crime is in progress, or you cannot leave safely.

Do not do these things

Do not try to force your way past if that may increase the immediate danger.
Do not let yourself be drawn into a long argument about whether you may leave.
Do not follow the person into a quieter, enclosed or unfamiliar place.
Do not give up your phone, keys or another way of getting help unless refusing appears more dangerous.
Do not delay seeking help because you are unsure what to call the behaviour.
Do not return alone to confront the person about repeated incidents.

What to do now

Move towards a safer pause if you can. Go sideways or back towards a staffed, busy, well-lit or more open place rather than trying to pass directly through the person.
Use a brief statement if speaking feels safe, such as “Move away and let me leave.” You do not need to explain or debate.
Attract attention. Address a specific person, member of staff, driver, colleague or security officer and say clearly that someone is blocking you from leaving.
Try another visible exit or route only if doing so does not take you somewhere more isolated or allow the person to corner you.
Call 999 and ask for the police if the person threatens or uses violence, touches or restrains you, continues blocking every safe route, or you believe you or someone else is in immediate danger. Give your location first when possible.
If you make a mobile 999 call but cannot speak, listen to the operator. Cough or tap the phone if you can, and press 55 if prompted so the call can be transferred to the police.
Once you reach safety, stay near trusted people and tell someone what happened. Ask them to remain with you while the immediate situation settles.
When there is no immediate danger, you can contact the police online or call 101 to report what happened or ask for advice. You do not need to collect evidence before reporting.
If it is safe and straightforward, note the date, time, place, what the person did or said, and whether anyone saw it. Do not approach the person or return to the location to gather information.

What can wait

You do not need to decide now whether the behaviour was harassment, stalking, abuse or another offence. Confronting the person, preparing a complete account, collecting proof, making long-term safety arrangements, or deciding what workplace, housing or relationship action to take can wait until you are somewhere safer.

Important reassurance

Repeatedly blocking your movement or trying to prevent you from leaving is serious enough to seek help about, even without an explicit threat or physical injury. You are not overreacting by moving away, attracting attention or contacting the police when you feel unsafe.

Scope note

This guide covers the earliest steps for reaching safety and contacting immediate support. Later decisions about reporting, workplace procedures, housing, protective measures or ongoing contact may require help from the police, a specialist support service, an employer or a legal adviser.

Important note

This is general personal-safety information, not legal advice or a substitute for instructions from emergency services. Circumstances can change quickly, so prioritise the option that appears safest at the time.

Additional Resources

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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