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Mark Yates advises that Stalking has been described as the newest most fashionable crime. Although Stalking is a relatively new crime it has been recognised in the USA for much longer than the UK. I have protected victims of stalking for many years and even had UK TV Company broadcast a 30 minute documentary about my counter stalking threat management unit, the first of its kind in the UK as we provided security for stalking victims.

What differentiates me from other security experts in relation to stalking is that since 1996 I have travelled the globe to attend certified law enforcement counter stalking training programmes delivered by global industry leaders like the Los Angeles police threat management unit, the New Mexico Police department and several government intelligence agencies.

I have also personally been the victim of three separate stalking incidents, so I can offer a security balance from both perspectives of protector and victim.

1: Understand that Stalking can happen to anyone regardless of gender, age, race or creed. A seemingly love interest from the wrong person can quickly escalate to a high threat level. Do not be fooled by Hollywood movies into believing there is a recognisable profile of a stalker. Just as there are no profile’s for a stalking victim there is no profile for a stalker.

2: Trust your intuition. If someone doesn’t feel right then give them a wide berth. Intuition is one of our bodies’ natural security defence measures. The intuitive abilities of human beings are vastly superior and given that we are able to learn from every single incident we experience is a bonus that we can capitalise on.

3: Recognise stalking pre-incident indicators for what they are. For example: Stalking is all about obsession and stalkers will implement intelligent tactics and systems to ensure they achieve full and unconditional control over their victims. Many of these tactics contain pre-incident indicators. When you are aware of them you can combat them at an early stage.

4: Refuse to be a victim. Take control away from your stalker by becoming more aware of stalking. By researching and reading past case studies you will be able to implement your own pro-active counter stalking campaign. Visit the www.asecurityonestopshop.com web site for security countermeasures.

5: Do not believe anything anyone tells you unless it agrees with your own common sense and logic. Because stalking in most parts of the world is a relatively new crime so called counter stalking gurus have jumped on the bandwagon. In my experience too many so called experts offer incorrect and often dangerous advice to stalking victims. Just because a person is a lawyer or police officer and they offer you advice does not mean it is good advice. Only when the lawyer or police officer has extensive training in stalking and counter stalking will that advice be worth-while.

6: Do not over rely on gaining a temporary restraining order despite what police officers and lawyers might advise you. Frequently a temporary restraining order is the catalyst for increased levels of violence and in some cases loss of life because the stalker feels he or she has lost control and if they can’t have you then no one else can have you. Lawyers and police officers untrained in stalking and counter stalking use the temporary restraining order as a crutch. I advise that very careful consideration should be given prior to applying to the court for a temporary restraining order.

7: Compile a stalking incident diary the moment any inappropriate or strange behaviour is directed towards you by a perceived or actual stalker. Record everything related to the stalking campaign against you. i.e. Who, where, when, why, how, times, dates, outcomes, personal visits, letters, e-mails, texts, voice mails, blogs, social network postings. If possible record all conversations, messages. Keep all documentation, e-mails etc. Retain all CCTV footage and answer phone messages.

8: Cease all communications with the stalker the moment any inappropriate stalking related behaviour is directed towards you immediately. Stalkers seek control and are obsessed with dominating their victims. They are extremely persistent so if a stalker leaves 100 messages on your answer phone and you cave in and respond; even if just to scream and yell at him/her to leave you alone, the stalker has achieved his/her aim. They have forced you to talk to them. A rational person might believe that 100 unsolicited telephone calls is too much to bear and requires a response. However all you have done is give the stalker vital intelligence, i.e. he/she knows that all it takes is 100 telephone calls for you to respond to them. If you think 100 telephone calls is obsessive you are right and obsession is the premise of all stalking campaigns.

Never underestimate Stalkers intelligence or persistence. Stalkers are by definition intelligent people and this level of intelligence has been documented for years by law enforcement stalker profilers. To run and maintain a stalking campaign requires advanced levels of intelligence.

9: Purchase home and personal security measures. Contact your telephone service provider and have your service registered as ex-directory. Only give out your number to people who you trust and those who know you are being targeted by a stalker. Stalkers are intelligent they will often seek information from the weakest link. Frequently that weakest link will be one of your family member, a friend or business associate who are unable to grasp the severity of the stalking campaign being directed against you. Visit the www.asecurityonestopshop.com web site for all your security related products.

Install an answer phone, do not record your outgoing message yourself, have a friend do it for you, as most stalkers want to hear your voice. Install a CCTV system with a recordable digital high capacity hard drive. Ensure that the CCTV system provides for covert cameras hidden inside your property. Stalkers are resilient and have been known to break into their victim’s properties to steal trophy items and leave seemingly insignificant items in their victim’s bedroom, bathroom or lounge which just heightens their sense of control and dominance over you. Install security intruder lights around your property. Install an access control system to your property. And never, ever leave a spare key hidden outside your property.

10: Learn to accept fear as one of your natural defence mechanisms’. Experts often refer to the ‘fight or flight syndrome’ as a good example of how fear affects human beings. You are faced with a violent incident what do you do? Predators fight, whereas most victims seek flight. You will never win a toe to toe fight against a stalker. By virtue of the fact you are squaring up to your stalker means they are winning because they are controlling you and the situation. Purchase a counter stalking home study correspondence training programme from www.asecurityonestopshop.com this security training programme highlights every aspect of stalking and counter stalking methods which you can implement against your stalker.

Finally; when considering The Security Experts Top 10 Tips To Prevent Being Stalked, Mark Yates the British American Security Expert advises Zero contact and zero communications are the foundation blocks of your counter stalking campaign.

Mark Yates is recognised globally as the British American security expert after providing his security expertise to government security, intelligence, law enforcement and security agencies in 41 countries. 5 major TV documentaries have been broadcast and hundreds of press articles published about his extremely high risk security operations. Contact him at drmarkdyates@aol.com