Harassment warning

How you obtain a harassment warning and what to do if you have received one

Harassment warnings might be an effective way to bring a campaign of online harassment to an end.

Is a harassment warning formal

How effective are harassment warnings

Is a harassment warning formal

Harassment warnings could be formal or informal. Some police forces issue a harassment warning (a police information notice), which tells the suspect that a complaint of harassment has been made. It is not a caution or a finding that the complaint is true, and a 2017 joint inspection told forces to stop using them.

A solicitor can also send a harassment warning to a suspect of harassment. This is usually done by way of a cease and desist letter, notifying the harasser of their final opportunity to stop harassing their victim.

How effective are harassment warnings

Harassment warnings can be effective. In some cases, the harasser is unaware that his action is considered harassment, whilst in other cases the harasser does appreciate this fact but decides to overlook it.

There are cases, where the harasser genuinely believe that her harassing actions are justified against the harassment victim. Often the basis for this belief is that the harasser considers that there is public interest or another legal justification for their actions against the harassment victim.

In our experience, a warning letter from a solicitor tends to work, particularly where the person has something to lose. Harassment warnings are often a cost effective way to bring an end to a campaign of harassment.