PanicStation.org
UK USA
uk Personal safety & immediate danger someone buzzing multiple flats • repeated buzzing main entrance • stranger trying to get in • unknown person at communal door • tailgating into block of flats • piggybacking through secure entrance • being asked to let someone in • intercom scam in apartment block • delivery claim at main door • pretending to be a resident • pretending to be a courier • building entrance safety • communal entry door security • shared lobby suspicious person • letting in someone you dont know • door entry system concern • residents being pressured to buzz in • someone hanging around entrance • suspicious person in communal area

What to do if…
you notice someone repeatedly trying to get residents to open the main entrance for them

Short answer

Don’t let them in. Get yourself somewhere secure, then alert building management/concierge right away and contact police if you think anyone is at immediate risk.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t “just buzz them in” to be polite, even if they claim they live there or are delivering something.
  • Don’t go down to challenge them face-to-face or try to physically block them.
  • Don’t follow them if they walk away, or try to “keep them there”.
  • Don’t hold the door open for anyone you don’t recognise in a controlled-entry building.
  • Don’t share entry codes, fob access, or routines (e.g., “someone will open in a minute”).

What to do now

  1. Move to a safer pause and secure your own door. If you’re in a hallway/lobby, go back into your flat (or another secure area) and lock your door before doing anything else.
  2. Do not grant entry. If they buzz your flat, don’t respond unless you can confirm who they are. If you do speak, keep it brief: “I can’t let you in—please contact the person you’re visiting / building management.”
  3. Alert the on-site contact immediately.
    • If you have a concierge/security, contact them right away (phone/intercom).
    • If not, contact your managing agent/building manager/landlord/housing association (whichever applies) and report that someone is repeatedly trying to be let in.
  4. If you feel unsafe or it’s escalating, contact police.
    • Call 999 if you believe someone is trying to force entry, is threatening anyone, is inside the building and you feel at risk, or a crime appears in progress.
    • Otherwise, use 101 for non-emergencies, or your local police force’s online reporting option (how to report online varies by area).
  5. Write down a few details while it’s fresh (without putting yourself at risk). Time, exact entrance, what they said (e.g., “delivery”, “lost key”), and a basic description (clothes, approximate age/height). If there’s CCTV, this helps management/police identify the relevant footage.
  6. Flag any door/entry-system problem as urgent—but don’t put yourself back in danger to “check.” If you already noticed the door not latching, being propped, or the entry system failing, report it to management immediately. Only test the latch/closure later if the area is clear and you can do so without returning to risk.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide right now whether to make a formal complaint, push for upgrades, or speak to neighbours in detail.
  • You do not need to investigate who they are, search social media, or try to gather proof yourself.
  • Building-wide fixes (door closers, access control changes, resident reminders) can be handled after the immediate situation is stable.

Important reassurance

It’s common to feel awkward about not “helping” at the door. In a controlled-entry building, refusing entry to unknown people is a normal, safety-first choice that protects everyone.

Scope note

This is first-steps guidance for the moment you notice repeated attempts to get residents to open the main entrance. If this becomes a repeated pattern, follow up with management about repairs and security measures.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. If you think someone is in immediate danger or a crime is happening now, call 999.

Additional Resources
Support us