uk Personal safety & immediate danger stranger outside workplace • repeated loitering at entrance • someone waiting near office door • suspicious person near work • being watched at work • pattern of appearances • same time each day • workplace entrance safety • concerns about being followed • possible stalking near work • unwanted attention at workplace • uneasy commute to work • someone hanging around building • leaving work feels unsafe • arriving at work feels unsafe • unknown person near reception • stranger near car park • harassment outside workplace • safety plan for work arrival

What to do if…
you notice a stranger repeatedly appearing near your workplace entrance at the same times

Short answer

Get to a safer pause (inside, with other people) and tell your workplace immediately so you’re not handling this alone. Start a simple incident log and contact the police for advice if it repeats or you feel unsafe (999 if immediate danger; otherwise 101 or your local force’s online reporting).

Do not do these things

Do not confront the person alone or try to “test” them by approaching.
Do not keep walking the same route in and out if you feel uneasy “just to be polite”.
Do not share your routine or the incident publicly (including posts that reveal times/locations).
Do not try to gather “proof” by getting close, taking risky photos, or following them.
Do not wait for it to become “serious enough” before telling your workplace—patterns matter.

What to do now

Get to a safer pause first. If you’re outside, go back inside (or into a staffed nearby business) and stay where there are people, lighting, and cameras.
Tell your workplace immediately and name the pattern. Report to your manager/HR/security/reception/building management: “A stranger has repeatedly appeared at our entrance around the same times.” Ask who is coordinating the response today.
Ask for immediate, practical protection for your next entry/exit. For example:
- A colleague/security escort to and from the entrance.
- Someone to watch the entrance at your arrival/departure time.
- Use a different entrance or staff-only route if available.
Ask your employer to treat this as a workplace safety incident (today). Request they:
- Log it internally (date/time/location) and brief reception/security.
- Review controls for that time window (doors, access, lone working, car park checks).
- Make a temporary adjustment so you’re not arriving/leaving alone if that’s currently the case.
Start a basic incident log (keep it brief and safe). Record:
- Date/time, exact location, what they did, how long they stayed.
- Description (clothes, height/build, distinguishing features).
- Any vehicle details only if safely visible (make/colour/number plate).
- Witnesses (names at work).
Ask for CCTV/entry records to be preserved by the building/employer. Request they retain relevant CCTV for the dates/times and note any related reception/security reports (many systems overwrite quickly).
Reduce predictability for the next few days without isolating yourself.
- Arrive/leave with someone; vary timing slightly if you can.
- Avoid being alone in car parks/bike stores; choose well-lit, busy routes.
- If using taxis/ride-shares, use a staffed pickup point (front lobby/reception).
Contact the police if it repeats, you feel targeted, or it escalates.
- Call 999 if you feel threatened, the person tries to follow/approach you, blocks your path, or you believe you’re in immediate danger.
- Otherwise call 101 or use your local police force’s online reporting to report the repeated pattern and ask for advice. Offer your log and ask for a reference number. If you’re unsure whether it “counts,” report what’s been happening anyway.
Widen the safety net for today. Tell one trusted person your plan for getting home and arrange a check-in once you’re safely away from work.

What can wait

You do not need to decide whether it’s “stalking” or “a crime” right now—describe the repeated pattern and how it affects your safety.
You do not need to identify the person, learn their name, or confront them to be taken seriously.
You do not need to make big, irreversible changes (quitting, moving, changing everything) in the first hour.

Important reassurance

Noticing a repeated pattern and taking it seriously is a sensible safety response. You’re allowed to ask your workplace for practical support and to get police advice early, before anything worse happens.

Scope note

This is first steps only—focused on immediate safety, documentation, and getting the right people involved. If it continues, your employer and the police can advise on longer-term options.

Important note

This guide is general information, not legal advice. If you feel in immediate danger, call 999.

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What to do if…you notice a stranger repeatedly appearing near your workplace entrance at the same times