PanicStation.org
UK USA
uk Personal safety & immediate danger stranger checking door numbers • person looking for a flat number • someone reading mailboxes • suspicious person in hallway • unknown person in communal area • someone casing flats • someone loitering by doors • person trying doors in block • someone looking for specific unit • door buzzer tailgating concern • unwanted visitor in building • lobby intruder concern • corridor safety in flats • mail theft worry in building • unsure if delivery or scam • someone asking which flat you are • communal entrance security

What to do if…
you see someone checking door numbers or mailboxes in your building while looking for a specific unit

Short answer

Don’t engage in the corridor. Get behind a locked door (or into a staffed/public area) and alert building management/concierge; if you believe a crime is in progress or anyone is at risk, call 999.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t confront them in the corridor or follow them to “see what they do”.
  • Don’t open your door to talk, and don’t let them “just come in” behind you.
  • Don’t buzz them in, hold the communal door, or prop doors open for them.
  • Don’t tell them your flat number, who lives where, or who is/isn’t home.
  • Don’t try to “verify” who they are by approaching them if you feel unsure.

What to do now

  1. Create distance first. Step back inside your flat and lock the door, or move to a staffed/public area (lobby/concierge) without drawing attention.
  2. Secure the communal entry behind you. If you’ve just come in, ensure the communal door closes and latches. Don’t allow tailgating.
  3. Let staff verify instead of you. Contact the concierge/managing agent/landlord and ask them to check whether anyone is expected (visitor list, contractor bookings, deliveries) and to attend the location.
  4. Report what you can see (facts only). Tell management/concierge:
    • where they are (floor, corridor, by mailboxes),
    • what they’re doing (checking door numbers/mailboxes, trying to find a specific flat),
    • a brief description (clothing, approximate age, any bags/tools),
    • whether they’re trying handles, pressing other residents to open doors, or refusing to leave.
  5. Call police if there’s immediate risk.
    • Call 999 if you think a crime is happening or about to happen (e.g., trying door handles, forcing mailboxes/doors, threats, stalking, weapons, someone in immediate danger).
    • Call 101 (or report online via your local force) if it’s suspicious but not an emergency.
  6. If they knock, keep the barrier. Don’t open the door. If you respond, speak through the door and say: “I can’t help. Please contact the resident you’re looking for or the concierge/building management.” Then stop engaging.
  7. Capture details safely (optional). From behind a closed door or a safe public area, write down the time and what happened. Only take a photo/video if you can do it without approaching or escalating.
  8. Ask management to reduce risk for everyone. Request a same-day reminder to residents: don’t buzz in strangers; don’t hold doors; report tailgating; report mailbox tampering.

What can wait

  • You don’t need to decide whether they were “definitely casing” or “probably lost” right now.
  • You don’t need to investigate, patrol corridors, or coordinate residents to confront them.
  • You don’t need to buy security equipment or change locks unless there’s evidence of attempted entry or an access breach.

Important reassurance

Freezing, doubting yourself, or worrying about “overreacting” is common. You’re allowed to prioritise a locked door and getting building staff or police involved without proving intent.

Scope note

These are first steps to stabilise the situation and reduce risk in the moment. If there’s a pattern in your building, follow-up actions with management and police can come later.

Important note

This guide is general information, not legal advice. If you feel unsafe or believe a crime is in progress, prioritise getting to a safer place and contacting emergency services.

Additional Resources
Support us