Reporting a crime: your options
You do not have to report a crime to police to get help.
You can get emotional, practical and specialist support while you decide what to do. If you decide to report, there are different ways to do this.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 now.
If you need help before you decide
You can talk to a support service before reporting a crime. It can help you think about your options and what feels safe for you.
Read Get support after a crime to find support near you. You can get support whether or not you report to police.
Ways to report a crime
Call 999 if there is immediate danger
Call 999 if a crime is happening now, someone is in immediate danger or violence is threatened. Ask for the police.
Call 101 for a non emergency crime
Call 101 to report a crime or incident that is not an emergency.
Report online
You can report many non emergency crimes online through your local police force.
Report fraud or cybercrime
You can report fraud or cybercrime to Report Fraud.
If you are not ready to report directly
You may be able to ask a trusted person or a specialist support service to help you report a crime.
If you give information without providing your name or contact details, police may not be able to ask you questions, update you or investigate fully. You can choose to give your details later.
Reporting rape or sexual assault
You can report rape or sexual assault by calling 999 in an emergency, calling 101, visiting a police station or reporting online. It does not matter when the assault or abuse happened.
You can ask a third party, such as a health professional, friend, family member or support organisation, to report on your behalf. You can decide how much information they share.
You can also speak to an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser or contact a Sexual Assault Referral Centre before deciding whether to report. You can get medical, emotional and practical support without making a police report.
Read Reporting rape or sexual assault for more information.
What happens after you report a crime
Police should record your report and explain what may happen next.
They should give you:
- confirmation that you have reported a crime;
- a crime reference number;
- contact details for the officer or team dealing with your case;
- information about your rights and the criminal justice process;
- an assessment of your needs, including any safety or communication needs; and
- information about support services and how to contact them.
Tell police if it is not safe to contact you by phone, text, email or post. They should discuss a safer way to contact you.
Police should also discuss how and when you will receive updates about your case. You should be told about important decisions, including if police decide not to investigate or take no further action.
Reporting does not guarantee a particular outcome
Reporting a crime does not guarantee that police will investigate, that someone will be charged, or that there will be a court case or conviction.
Police will consider the information available and decide what action they can take. They may investigate, take another step, or decide that they cannot investigate.
In some cases, police ask the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether there is enough evidence for a case to go to court and whether a prosecution is in the public interest. A court decides whether someone is guilty.
You should be told about important decisions and given information about why a decision has been made. If police or the Crown Prosecution Service decides not to prosecute, you may be able to ask for that decision to be reviewed.
Victim Personal Statements
Police should tell you about making a Victim Personal Statement when you report a crime.
A Victim Personal Statement is different from a witness statement. It is your chance to explain how the crime has affected you, including physical, emotional, financial or other effects.
If someone is convicted, the court will take the statement into account when deciding sentence, alongside the other information in the case. You can say whether you would like your statement read aloud or played in court, but the court decides whether this will happen.
Read Victim Personal Statements for more information.
Your rights after reporting a crime
The Victims’ Code explains the minimum standards of service that victims should receive in England and Wales.
Read Your rights after a crime for a summary of your rights and what you can expect from services.
What to do next
Choose the option that feels safest for you now. You can get support before, during or after reporting a crime.
About this information
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