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If you are in immediate danger, get to a safer place and contact your local emergency service. Otherwise, write down what happened when you can do so safely, preserve the original messages or objects where possible, and report with whatever information you have. You do not need a complete evidence file before asking for help—and collecting records should never put you at greater risk.
Start with safety, not evidence collection
If someone is threatening you now or you believe an attack may be imminent, prioritize getting away from danger and contacting the emergency service where you are. Emergency numbers and police procedures vary by country; use local guidance rather than relying on a number or process from another jurisdiction. The FBI’s immediate-danger advice is specific to the United States, while Police.uk gives UK-specific emergency guidance.
Do not confront the person, follow them, or take risks to obtain a better photograph, recording, or description. If recording or storing information could expose you to retaliation, stop and seek help from police or a specialist support service when safe. An incomplete record is preferable to an unsafe attempt to make it complete.
You are not responsible for conducting an investigation or proving a case before asking for help. The UK Home Office’s statutory guidance makes the point directly: “victim safety is paramount and it is the job of the police to build the case on behalf of the victim, and not the role of the victim to build the case for the police.” Record what you can safely remember and keep, but do not put yourself in danger to fill gaps.
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What to record for each incident
Make a factual chronology as soon as practical. Record what you directly observed, distinguish exact details from estimates, and avoid guessing about motives. A useful entry can be brief; you can add information later.
- Date and time: Include the date and time, and say whether the time is exact or approximate.
- Place or platform: For an in-person event, note where it happened. For an online event, note the app or platform, account, and relevant page or URL if safe.
- What happened: Describe the conduct in plain language. Write down threats exactly where possible rather than paraphrasing them. The FBI’s guidance for verbal, in-person threats says, “Write down or record the threat exactly as it was communicated.”
- Identifying details: Note a name or description, username or handle, user ID if available, phone number, email address, vehicle details, or other distinguishing information.
- Witnesses: Record names and safe contact details for anyone who saw or heard the event. Do not collect or store someone’s details if doing so creates a risk.
- Related records: Note whether you retained a message, email, voicemail, call log, letter, image, video, or other item, and where the original and any safe copy are stored.
- Contacts and impact: Record any platform report, police contact, or incident/reference number. Where relevant, note the effect on you, such as fear, distress, or a change to your routine.
This structure reflects details requested in official guidance: Victoria Police lists time, date, location, a factual description, witnesses, a person’s description, and impact; Police.uk identifies sender details, platform, time, and content as useful for online threats, and details such as what was said, physical evidence, location, and time for offline events.
Example of a factual entry
Approx. 8:15 p.m., 12 October — text message received on [device/account]. Sender displayed as [name/number]. Message said: “[exact words].” Screenshot saved; original remains in the message thread. No witnesses. I felt frightened and did not leave home that evening. Reported to [agency/platform] on [date]; reference number [number].
Keep any template or variable information in a secure place; the example is a format, not a requirement to record every field. If a detail is unknown, say so rather than filling it in with a guess.
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Use one entry for each separate incident, then keep the entries in date order. This makes it easier to explain a series of events without turning the log into a long narrative. If you only remember an approximate time or date, mark it as approximate. If you later remember another detail, add it as a dated note rather than silently changing your original account. The aim is to distinguish what you know, what you estimate, and what you do not know.
For each entry, a compact prompt can help: When and where did it happen? What did the person do or say? How do you identify the person or account? Was anyone else present? What record exists, and where is it safely kept? Did you report it or take another relevant step? Include the impact on you where relevant, such as fear, distress, or a change in routine. You can skip any prompt that is unknown or unsafe to answer.
Details do not need to be polished or written in legal language. Plain, specific descriptions are more useful than labels or conclusions. For example, note the words spoken, the time and place, and what you observed rather than trying to decide what legal category the event fits. Legal definitions and police procedures differ, so leave those judgments to the relevant professionals.
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Preserve online and phone evidence without changing it
When safe, leave the original communication on the device or account and make a copy that captures its context. A screenshot should show the sender or account and the date/time context, not only a cropped fragment of the message. Note the platform and the location of the content, such as a page or post URL, where relevant. For email, preserve full message details if available rather than relying only on a cropped image.
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- Do not open suspicious attachments or engage with an unknown sender just to gather more material.
- Do not alter or dispose of a phone or SIM card connected to a live investigation without checking with the investigating officer; appropriate handling can depend on the circumstances.
- If a platform report is relevant, preserve available content first if you can do so safely. Posts, accounts, or other details may change or disappear.
Keep useful context with the content you save. For an online threat, that can mean recording the sender name or username, user ID if available, platform, time, and what the message said. For email, retain the subject line, sender, date, and time if available. For a call or voicemail, note the number or displayed caller details and the time, and retain the voicemail or call record if it is safe and available. These are examples of details identified by official guidance, not a requirement to create every type of copy.
A screenshot is a convenient record, but it should not replace the original when keeping the original is safe. A cropped image may omit who sent the message or when it arrived; a written note may help you remember details but does not preserve the message itself. Keep any copy in a location the other person cannot access, if you can identify one safely. Do not risk exposing yourself just to make a backup.
Document in-person incidents and physical items
For an in-person incident, write down what was said or done, when and where it occurred, and what the person looked or sounded like. Include vehicle details and witnesses if you know them. Do not return to a location or approach the person to improve your notes.
Keep unwanted gifts, notes, letters, or other objects only if it is safe. Victoria Police advises not returning or handling unwanted gifts, letters, or cards. New Zealand Police notes that some evidence may not be safe to keep; if it is safe, photographing it and telling police promptly may be an alternative. Do not risk injury or discovery to store an object.
Physical details can include how the person looked or sounded, a vehicle description, the location, and what was said or done. Write down what you actually noticed while it is fresh, rather than going back to check or asking the person for more information. If someone else witnessed the event, note who they are and a safe way to contact them if you know it.
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For an object or item left behind, safety comes before preserving it. Do not handle or return an unwanted item if doing so could put you at risk. New Zealand Police suggests that photographing an item, if safe, may be preferable when keeping the evidence itself is unsafe; tell police promptly about the item and follow their advice. What is safe to keep can depend on the item and situation.
Choose a record-keeping method that does not expose you
There is no universally safest place to keep a log. Consider who can access your phone, shared accounts, cloud backups, email, notebook, or home. A record that is easy for the person causing harm to find may increase danger.
Choose only a method that is safe in your circumstances. A private notebook, a device or account the other person cannot access, or a copy shared with a trusted person may be options, but each has risks depending on access and discovery. Think about whether notifications, synced devices, browsing history, or a shared password could reveal what you saved. If you are unsure, ask police or a specialist support service about safer ways to preserve and provide information.
UK statutory guidance warns that record keeping can increase risk if discovered and stresses that victim safety comes first: building the case is the police’s role, not the victim’s. Victoria Police likewise recommends secure storage and considering whether the person stalking you can access your device.
Compare methods by risk, context, and access
There is no single storage choice that is best for everyone. A notebook may be quick to use and require no account, but it may be found at home or in a bag. A phone note or screenshot may preserve details while they are fresh, but the device, account, backups, or notifications could be accessible to someone else. Emailing a copy or using cloud storage may make it easier to retrieve or share, but shared passwords or synced devices can expose it. Giving a trusted person a copy may provide another way to retain information, but only if that person and the method of sharing are safe.
Think about four practical questions before choosing: Could the other person discover or access it? Does it preserve the original context, such as sender and date/time? Can you record the information while it is fresh without drawing attention? Can you back it up or provide it later without creating another risk? These questions help compare options; they do not make any one method universally safe. If you cannot identify a safe place to store information, do not force a choice. Ask police or a specialist support service for individualized advice when it is safe to do so.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteSafety applies to the act of recording as well as storage. You do not have to keep a detailed log if making one would alert the person or increase danger. A short note made later, a safe conversation with a support service, or simply reporting what you remember may be preferable in your circumstances. The record does not have to be complete to be useful.
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Report before your record is complete
Do not wait for a missing screenshot, a perfect timeline, or every witness’s details before reporting. Police.uk says people do not need to gather screenshots, texts, videos, or photos before reporting threatening messages or stalking and harassment; a report can begin by telling police what happened. Share what you have, explain what is missing, and ask the receiving agency how to provide files or refer to the case later.
As Police.uk puts it: “You don’t need to gather ‘evidence’ like screenshots, text messages, videos or photos before you report to us.” That is UK-specific guidance, but the broader practical point in the reviewed police guidance is that you can ask for help with the information available to you. You do not need to delay a report while trying to assemble a perfect file.
When you contact the relevant agency, start with the basic account: what happened, when and where, and whether there is immediate danger. Say which details or records you have and which are missing. If you are unsure how to send a file, ask how the agency wants it provided and how to refer to it later. Keep the report or incident reference number. If possible and safe, retain a copy of any statement or material you submit.
If the conduct happened online, reporting to the platform may also be an option; that does not replace contacting police where you need police help or face danger. If you can preserve available content safely before making a platform report, consider doing so because posts, accounts, or other details may change or disappear. Do not postpone police contact to complete a platform process or gather more records.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Make safety decisions around contact carefully
There is no single rule to respond, block, or cut off contact that is safe for every situation. A change in contact can affect risk, particularly when the person is a partner, family member, or someone you must encounter. Victoria Police recommends minimizing contact and developing a safety plan with a trusted person, support service, or police. New Zealand Police advises not responding to a stranger or acquaintance in stalking cases, while noting that a calm, neutral response may be safer when contact cannot be avoided with a partner or family member. Seek advice suited to your circumstances.
A safety plan can involve discussing your situation with a trusted person, support service, or police and considering what steps are appropriate for you. The sources do not establish one response that is right for every relationship or circumstance. Avoid treating “block,” “reply,” or “stop contact” as universal rules; ask for tailored support if a change in contact could affect your safety.
Police.uk lists a personal alarm as one possible safety consideration. It is optional and does not replace emergency services, reporting, or an individualized safety plan.
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Jurisdiction matters
The practical steps above are shared documentation guidance, not a statement of one universal legal definition or evidence rule. Harassment, stalking, threats, reporting routes, and police responses differ by jurisdiction. Official guidance cited here covers the United States, the United Kingdom, Victoria in Australia, and New Zealand; use the relevant local agency for instructions.
- United States: FBI guidance says immediate physical danger warrants contacting local police at 911 and distinguishes federal threats from matters that may fall to local or state police.
- United Kingdom: Police.uk explains how to report threatening messages and stalking or harassment without first assembling evidence.
- Victoria, Australia: Victoria Police provides a factual incident-log structure and local safety and support guidance.
- New Zealand: New Zealand Police outlines its own reporting routes, emergency contact, and examples of useful evidence.
These examples are not interchangeable reporting instructions. Use local emergency contacts and the relevant police or support service where you are. The reviewed guidance does not establish a single legal definition of harassment or stalking, a universal evidence standard, or a guaranteed result from making a report.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need screenshots or a complete timeline before reporting harassment or threats?
No. Police.uk explicitly says you do not need to gather screenshots, texts, videos, or photos before reporting threatening messages, stalking, or harassment. Tell the relevant agency what happened and share what you safely have; ask how to provide files or refer to the case later.
What details should I include in an incident log?
Record the date and time (mark estimates as approximate), location or platform, what happened or the exact words used, identifying details, witnesses if safe, records retained and where they are kept, any report or reference number, and relevant impact on you. If something is unknown, say so rather than guessing.
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Should I delete threatening messages or reply to the sender?
The FBI advises not deleting electronic threat messages. Keep the original communication if safe, and do not interact with an unknown sender just to gather more material. Whether to respond, block, or minimize contact depends on your circumstances; seek individualized safety advice rather than treating one choice as right for everyone.
How can I store records safely?
There is no universally safest method. Consider access to your devices, shared accounts, cloud backups, email, notebook, or home, and whether notifications or syncing could reveal a record. If storage itself could increase danger, do not force it; ask police or a specialist support service about safer options when possible.
What if keeping a physical item could put me at risk?
Do not risk injury or discovery to keep it. New Zealand Police says some evidence may not be safe to retain and suggests photographing it if safe, then informing police promptly. Victoria Police advises not returning or handling unwanted gifts, letters, or cards.
Should I report an online threat to the platform as well as police?
A platform report may be possible, and Police.uk describes reporting to police and the social media company. If you can preserve the content safely before using a platform process, do so because it may change or disappear. Platform reporting does not replace contacting police when you need police help or face danger.
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The Bottom Line
Keep a factual record only when it is safe: note what happened, preserve original messages or context where possible, and store any copy beyond the other person’s access. You do not need a complete file to report. If collecting or keeping evidence could put you at risk, prioritize safety and ask local police or a specialist support service for help.
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