Police Marker – what to expect

[Teaandcats]

I’d like to know what to expect from calling 101 to request Marker be put on my home.

I’m currently freaking out a little. My worker and I have been talking about contacting the police to have a priority responce Marker put on my home, so that should my husband turn up and refuse to leave, or be aggressive and scary again, I can call and not have a wait. And this call will be happening soon, if I go ahead.

Will I need to make a formal statement to the Police before a Marker can be put on my address, or is it an informal request which gives me a choice to make a statement at a later time?
Will my abuser (husband) be informed?
How long does a Marker last for?

Anything else it would be helpful to know?

Thank you ladies.

[Watersprite]

Hey speak to your worker. The police will want info to justify a marker. Only you can know what is best for you and your family – trust your gut. We had markers long before I gave a formal statement to police. They were on when I lived with him he was never told and then on every address since we left. I think they usually last for six months but are often regularly extended but may be different for others. Social service put the first marker on without police being fully involved at that point. You don’t have to make a statement you could just talk to them and only if police have really good solid evidence they would run a case without you. Could you speak to social worker ? Mine was amazing. Honestly things will eventually get better you are in the middle of a storm right now but storms pass. Breathing exercises write it all down music walks healthy food water baby steps. Safety first do whatever keeps you and your kids safest try not to worry about the rest for now x*x

[KIP.]

The police will want evidence of his behaviour to assist you further. I recorded my ex so perhaps you could put a camera up and keep the recorder on your phone switched on if it’s safe to do so. Getting a marker is a good idea and also giving a statement because my ex made counter allegations so if the police turn up they already have the back story and you aren’t initially seen as the aggressor.

[KIP.]

Don’t think a marker will solve his stalking and threats. I rang 999 and they took ages because they were on a shift change over. Take control and be pro active in dealing with an abuser.

[Grey Rock]

The word marker makes it sound more physical and obvious than it is. It just means that they mark down that it’s an address with risk attached to it so 999 response (not just police but ambulance too) should be quicker. Your ex wouldn’t be aware. For me it didn’t stop a lot of the harassment (by phone / text / via 3rd party) but it made me feel a bit safer in my home. They also put one on another family address that he turned up at late one night, which was a veiled threats to me that he would bring others to account if I didn’t see him, so I was very pleased that the marker was there.

GR

[Teaandcats]

Thanks Grey Rock, I really appreciate your reply too.

Feeling a bit calmer about it now, not quite a panicked. I think feeling safer in my own home is the most important thing for me to start to move on. At the moment, he can turn up and I’ve got nothing to support me or any ‘back up plan’ except 999 which I’ve always put off as I know it wouldn’t necessarily be an immediate response and would likely create an even more unsafe environment…

Thank you x

[Teaandcats]

Thanks for your replies, watersprite and KIP.
I’m relieved to hear that I don’t have to make it all formal-formal to have a Marker, I’m just not quite ready yet, it feels too big and sudden and I need to get my head around it all first.

Breathing exercises and walks are great & really calming for me, but I should make more of an effort with drinking water. Yes I can talk to the worker, they’ve been great and very supportive.
I have been videoing when I can and have been advised to buy a video doorbell or similar for that same reason. I think he knew that something was up recently when he turned up because he started to get annoyed and all the signs where there that he was going to blow up and start calling me name etc but he kept looking at the phone, got distracted by the kids and left without anything happening.

[Author]

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