Reporting a Crime

Why report a crime

Many crimes in the UK go unreported. Letting the police know, even about seemingly minor issues, can help them understand what is happening in your area. This information shapes how they allocate resources and where they focus their efforts.

Reporting also creates a record. If the same person commits further offences, or if a pattern emerges, your report becomes part of a bigger picture that can help catch offenders later.

You do not need to be the victim to report a crime. Witnesses are encouraged to come forward when they see something that concerns them. If you want to remain anonymous, you can report through Crimestoppers, an independent charity that passes information to the police without revealing your identity.

Rights on Arrest Checker

If you or someone you know has been arrested or questioned by police, find out your rights, what to expect at the station, and what happens next.

Try our Rights on Arrest Checker free, here on this site →

Emergencies: when to call 999

Call 999 if a crime is happening right now, someone is in immediate danger, or there is a risk of serious harm. This includes violent incidents, burglaries in progress, or situations where someone's life may be at risk.

The 999 service is free from any phone. You can usually make emergency calls even if your mobile has no credit or signal from your usual network, as the call will connect through any available network.

Be aware that some cordless phones require mains electricity. If there is a power cut, these handsets may not function. It is worth having a backup option available.

When you call, stay calm and give the operator clear information: what is happening, where it is happening, and any details about people involved. The operator will guide you through what they need to know.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Non-emergency reporting

For crimes that are not urgent, you should use the non-emergency route. This might include theft where the offender has left, minor criminal damage, or antisocial behaviour that has stopped.

You can contact your local police force in several ways:

• Call 101, the police non-emergency number. This connects you to your local force.
• Visit your local police station in person during opening hours.
• Use your force's website to report online. Many forces now have online reporting forms for common offences.

To find contact details for your local force, visit the official police website at police.uk. This will direct you to the right team based on your location.

For certain types of crime, there are specialist reporting channels. Fraud should generally be reported to Action Fraud, though you should contact your local police if there is an immediate threat or fraud is in progress. Hate crimes can be reported through True Vision, an online service that passes reports to the appropriate force.

What happens after you report

Once you have made a report, the police will assess it and decide on next steps. They may contact you for more information or to arrange a statement. In some cases, they may visit the scene or ask to speak with you in person.

Not every report leads to an arrest or prosecution. The police prioritise based on evidence, severity, available resources, and factors such as the likelihood of harm or repeated victimisation. However, your report still has value, even if no immediate action follows.

You can ask for a crime reference number when you report. This is useful if you need to contact your insurance company or follow up with the police later. If you have more information to add after your initial report, you can contact the police using this reference number.

If you want to understand your rights during police contact, you can find guidance on GOV.UK or through Citizens Advice. If you are questioned under caution, you may also be entitled to legal aid or can contact a solicitor.

Reporting a crime does not obligate you to further action. You are simply providing information that may help the police do their job.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Rights on Arrest Checker lets you if you or someone you know has been arrested or questioned by police, find out your rights, what to expect at the station, and what happens next. Try it now →