uk Personal safety & immediate danger someone peering in my window • person looking through window • stranger outside my window • someone at my window at night • window peeper outside house • peeping tom outside • suspicious person outside home • someone watching through window • someone scoping my home • intruder casing the house • stranger in my garden • someone on my property • person at my ground floor window • someone trying windows • unknown person outside flat window • voyeur outside window • I feel unsafe at home now • someone lurking outside my window

What to do if…
you see someone peering into your windows from outside

Short answer

Move away from the window, lock up quickly, and call 999 if you feel unsafe or the person is still there.

Do not do these things

Don’t go outside to confront them or “check” who it is.
Don’t open the door, even “just to tell them to leave”.
Don’t chase them if they move off.
Don’t stand at the window where you’re clearly visible.
Don’t switch on inside lights right by the window if that makes you easier to see.
Don’t post live updates about it happening.

What to do now

Create distance and cover. Step away from windows and exterior doors. If you can, move to an internal room where you’re not visible from outside.
Secure the home fast. Lock doors, close/lock any accessible windows, and close curtains/blinds. If you can switch on an outside light from inside, do that.
Call police now (choose the right number).
- Call 999 if you feel in danger, the person is still there, or you think they may try to get in.
- Call 101 if they’ve gone and there’s no immediate risk (or use your local force’s online reporting if available).
If you can’t speak safely on a 999 call:
- On a mobile: call 999, listen to the operator’s questions, and respond by coughing/tapping if you can. If prompted, press 55 (or tap when prompted) so the call is treated as genuine and transferred to police.
- On a landline: stay on the line. If you don’t speak but the operator can hear background noise, they can transfer you to police. (Avoid repeatedly hanging up and redialling.)
Give the operator what helps fastest. Your exact address, where the person is (front/back, which window), what they’re doing (peering, lingering, trying handles), and a description (clothing, height/build, any vehicle, direction of travel).
Only if it’s safe, note details without being seen. From a safe position (not close to the glass), note time, description, and any vehicle registration. If you can record from inside without approaching the window or drawing attention, that can help later.
Make sure everyone inside is together. Quietly bring children/pets into the safer room. Grab your phone, keys, and any essential medication in case you’re advised to leave.
If you’re in a flat/managed building: after calling police (or while someone else calls), alert concierge/building security/management so they can check shared entrances and preserve any CCTV.
If you have a hearing or speech impairment (optional): in emergencies you can use textphone 18000 (or, if pre-registered, text 999 via the emergency text service). For non-emergencies, some services use textphone 18001 101.

What can wait

Deciding whether to install cameras, extra locks, or motion lighting.
Contacting your insurer/landlord (unless there’s damage that needs urgent repair).
Reviewing doorbell/CCTV footage in detail — do it once you’re calm and safe.
Writing a full timeline; for now, just keep the basics (time, what happened, description).

Important reassurance

It’s normal to feel shaken, angry, or frozen. Treating someone peering into windows as a real safety issue is reasonable — your job right now is to get safe and get support.

Scope note

These are first steps to stabilise the situation and reduce immediate risk. If this becomes repeated or targeted, you may need additional support and a more detailed safety plan.

Important note

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

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What to do if…you see someone peering into your windows from outside