Cease and Desist Letter — Harassment
Formal warning to a person whose conduct may constitute harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
When to use this template
Use this when someone's behaviour amounts to a course of conduct that constitutes harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, and you want to put them on clear notice that the conduct is unwanted and must stop. It also establishes that the recipient cannot claim they were unaware the conduct was unwanted, which is relevant to both criminal and civil claims.
When NOT to use this template
If you are in immediate danger, call 999. Do not use this letter where sending it may escalate the situation or where doing so might alert an abusive person to your whereabouts. In cases of domestic abuse, contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247) for tailored advice before writing to the perpetrator.
Legal Basis
Protection from Harassment Act 1997, ss.1–3 (criminal offence of harassment and civil tort); s.7 (definition: course of conduct means at least two occasions); Online Safety Act 2023 (online harassment). Victims may apply for a civil injunction (s.3 PHA 1997) and/or report to the police. The maximum sentence for criminal harassment is 6 months (summary) or 5 years (indictable, causing fear of violence).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Sending this letter yourself if there is a serious risk the recipient will escalate — consider using a solicitor in serious cases
- ✗Not keeping a copy of the letter and proof of delivery (send by recorded post or email with read receipt)
- ✗Including aggressive or threatening language — the letter should be calm and factual
- ✗Not having an evidence log in place before sending — you will need evidence of the course of conduct
Build Your Letter
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Letter preview
[YOUR FULL NAME] [YOUR ADDRESS (CONSIDER USING A PO BOX OR SOLICITOR'S ADDRESS IF SAFETY IS A CONCERN)] [DATE OF LETTER] [NAME OF THE PERSON YOU ARE WRITING TO] [THEIR ADDRESS] --- Dear [NAME OF THE PERSON YOU ARE WRITING TO], **FORMAL NOTICE — CEASE AND DESIST** I am writing to you formally and without hostility to put you on notice that your recent conduct towards me is unwanted, is causing me significant distress, and must stop immediately. **Conduct complained of** The following behaviour, which has occurred on at least [NUMBER OF SEPARATE INCIDENTS] separate occasions, constitutes a course of conduct causing me alarm and distress: [DESCRIPTION OF THE CONDUCT] The most recent incident occurred on [DATE OF MOST RECENT INCIDENT]. **Legal position** The conduct described above may constitute the criminal offence of harassment under Section 1 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. Under Section 2 of that Act, a person guilty of harassment is liable to a fine or imprisonment of up to 6 months. If your conduct causes me fear that violence will be used against me, the offence under Section 4 carries up to 5 years' imprisonment. I also have the right to bring civil proceedings for an injunction and damages under Section 3 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. **What I require** I formally require you to: 1. **Cease immediately** all of the conduct described above. 2. **Make no further contact** with me, by any means (including in person, by telephone, by text, by email, or through social media or third parties), unless through legal advisers. 3. **Not attend** my home, workplace, or any other location where I may be present. **Consequences of non-compliance** If you do not comply with this notice, I will: - Report your conduct to the police for investigation under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. - Apply to the County Court for an injunction under Section 3 PHA 1997 restraining you from continuing this course of conduct. - Seek an award of damages for the distress and harm caused. I have kept a detailed log of all incidents and have preserved evidence of the conduct described. A copy of this letter will be retained and may be produced in any future legal proceedings. I trust that this letter will not be necessary to send a second time. Yours faithfully, [YOUR FULL NAME]
Unfilled fields appear as [FIELD NAME]. Review the letter carefully before sending. This template is a starting point — adapt it to your specific circumstances.