I have been attacked by stalkers in crowds, on rooftops, and in deserted corners of the city.
I have been attacked by stalkers with an empty Templar awareness meter, and a full one.
I have gone hours and hours without seeing one, and then gotten several almost back to back to back.
As far as I can tell, it's either totally random, or it's planned to look like it's totally random.
gaming.stackexchange.com/users/11014/hairboat
You mostly just have to pay attention - your Templar Awareness doesn't seem to have anything to do with it.
There's usually dramatic music right before they hit you, though, so
if you hear music while you're just wandering around that's your hint to take notice.
If you unlock the Mercenary faction ability, when you have mercenaries with you they will intercept any stalkers that might show up.
EDIT: I'm really not sure about this, but I have the subjective sense that they do seem to show up more often when you're in thick crowds.
I don't recall seeing one show up when I was on an empty street...
I'm really not sure about this, though.
I've certainly been attacked when I'm not blending and not anywhere near a clump of NPCs.
The only other thing I can really say is that I've never seen them attack when I'm on a rooftop, but then of course you're risking the attention of rooftop sentries anyway.
gaming.stackexchange.com/users/6922/Shinrai
When there is one close, you'll hear whispers all around.
Just go to multiplayer, it's the same sound when a pursuer is near.
And the timing is random.
You can have none for 3 hours then 2 in 10 minutes.
EDIT: Just a theory like that
, I think they might appear more often if you stand for a long time in the same part of the city.
I remember when I was just waiting close to a bank for my income to cash in (so a few hours in the same part of the city, just waiting) and by the end, it was one each 10 to 15 minutes.
Just a theory, that should be tested.
gaming.stackexchange.com/users/15236/Fredy31
I always go to the Grand Bazaar.
Go to the Tailor shop that is just near one of the exits and just wait for less than 5 minutes.
I just tested it
and I got one in 2 minutes, but I am suggesting 5 minutes just in case it may be longer for some other players.
I hope this info will help.
I also did this especially because I had 1 very tiny bit of red on my Templar Awareness meter
and i wanted to get rid of it.
Now I have.
Of course The Grand Bazaar is a huge place, lots of people, some guards and a lot of shops, Almost every time I have gone inside the Bazaar I have been attacked by these guys, but what annoys me, is even though i kill them every time before getting stabbed, my stats show no kills on stalkers.
That's weird.
gaming.stackexchange.com/users/16945/Alison Black
Just like in the online mode you hear whispering when they are near.
The closer you are, the louder the whisper.
They also show up as a dagger on the mini map.
gaming.stackexchange.com/users/17962/Stanley
Sometimes, when you think one is near (by hearing distinct whispers), you should scan the area with eagle vision and you might spot a red civilian.
After you exit eagle vision it should be marked on your map as the dagger.
If you walk near them they will attack.
I've also noticed a civilian acting unusual by either holding something behind his back or constantly adjusting his clothing.
It's pretty obvious once you notice this.
I also seem to come in contact with stalkers right after or during a mission.
gaming.stackexchange.com/users/23236/oeo
You'll see an icon of a white knife on your minimap when a Stalker is near you.
gaming.stackexchange.com/users/17706/Spectro
Every once in a while, a templar stalker will come and attempt to take my life (and will always be unsuccessful ;).  Are there any conditions for when they do attack me?  Is it completely random?  Is there any way for me to see them nearby so I can attack first?  The last time I was attacked, I noticed that I'm still completely  secret  from the templars.  I don't remember how aware they were of me the other times.
How can I tell if a stalker is going to kill me?
gaming.stackexchange.com
<assassins-creed-revelations>
gaming.stackexchange.com/questions/39487
gaming.stackexchange.com/users/8995/Jeff Mercado
It's totally random. When there is one close, you'll hear whispers around you. They show up as a dagger on the mini map. While attacks from stalkers seem to be a mechanic of the game, the player can detect them through some audio and visual indications.
It is implied that attacks are more or less random. The community pinpoints few indications as to when a stalker is about to attack.