Advice
Questions
What should I do if I witness a
crime?
What will the police want to know once a
crime has been reported?
How do I report a crime?
What is the difference between robbery,
theft and burglary?
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What should I do if I witness a Crime?
If you see a crime or offence being committed report it– or ask someone else to report it while you continue to watch what happens. Dial 999 if:
- There is danger to life;
- There is risk of serious injury;
- A crime is in progression or is about to happen;
- An offender is still at the scene or has just left.
If the incident involves violence, you should not intervene unless you are confident you can do so safely– instead call the police immediately by dialling 999. If you are a witness to an incident you may need to describe those involved or explain in detail what actually happened. Pay attention to people’s height, build, hair colour and length and, in particular, their clothes. Write down what you saw or describe the people involved.
What will the police want to know once a crime has been reported?
The police will normally want to know the following information:
- Your name and address;
- The telephone number you are calling from;
- The main contact number (mobile or home phone);
- The exact location of the incident being reported;
- The nature of the incident;
- Descriptions of the people involved;
- Whether you are a witness to the incident or reporting on behalf of someone else.
If you are still watching the incident, you may be asked to stay on the line. If you are reporting a road accident you may be asked:
- The number and type of vehicles involved;
- The number and extent of injuries;
- Whether the road is blocked;
- Whether there is debris in the road.
How do I report a Crime?
If you are reporting an emergency, phone 999. If your call is not an emergency contact your local police station. You can also use the internet to report non-urgent, less serious crimes. The system links into a national website and can be used to report details of the following offences:
- Burglary (non-dwelling);
- Theft;
- Criminal Damage;
- Making off without payment;
- Theft from or damage to motor vehicles.
What is the difference between theft, robbery and burglary?
Theft is the ‘dishonest appropriation of property belonging to another with the intention of permanently depriving that person of it.’ Taking someone else’s property and not intending to return it. There needs to be an element of dishonesty as if someone believes they have a right to take property or the owner could consent it, it means they have not committed a theft.
A Robbery is where a person steals and either uses force or puts the person involved in fear of being subjected to force or violence. Robbery can take many forms ranging from a street mugging to an armed robbery of a bank.
A Burglary is where someone enters a building, or part of a building, as a trespasser with the intent to steal, inflict grievous bodily harm, rape or commit criminal damage or having entered any building, or part of a building as a trespasser, the person is guilty of an offence if they steal, inflict grievous bodily harm, or attempt to commit bodily harm.