How to Report a Crime to the Police in the UK
Call 999 if a crime is happening now or someone is in danger. Call 101 or report online for everything else. Always ask for the crime reference number. Insurers, banks, and embassies need it. Report fraud and cybercrime to Report Fraud, not to the local police.
At a glance
- Cost:
- Free
- Total time:
- 15–30 minutes
- Steps:
- 6 steps
- Where to apply:
- gov.uk
Last reviewed October 2026 against official sources. Re-checked annually · next review due October 2027.
The Steps
Follow these in order
Each card shows the phase, expected time, and any cost. Data checked against official UK sources(October 2026).
0 of 6 steps
- Before You Go 5 min
Decide: emergency or non-emergency?
Call 999 only when a crime is in progress. Also call if someone is in immediate danger. Or if a serious incident just happened. For everything else, use 101 or report online. This includes theft that already happened, vandalism, fraud, and historical offences. This keeps emergency lines free.
Click to mark as done
- Go 15–30 min
Call 101 or report online
101 connects you to your local police force. It is open 24/7, all day and all night. Calls cost 15p per call. Many forces also take online reports. You can report theft, criminal damage, and hate crime online. Search "report a crime [your area] police". Online reports get the same treatment as phone reports.
Click to mark as done
- Submit & Pay 20 min
Report fraud and scams to Report Fraud
Report Fraud handles fraud, online scams, and identity theft. Call 0300 123 2040 or go to reportfraud.police.uk. It is the national reporting centre. It replaced Action Fraud in December 2025 and it is not your local force. In Scotland, report fraud to Police Scotland on 101. Report within 24 hours if you sent money. Your bank can sometimes recall it. You also need the report for reimbursement claims.
Click to mark as done
- Fill / Prepare
Get your crime reference number
Every report gets a reference number. The format is like 24JA/12345/25 and you should write it down. Your insurer, bank, phone provider, or embassy will ask for it. Without it, claims for stolen property are routinely rejected.
Click to mark as done
- Follow Up
Follow up and add information
Police assess each report. They may assign an officer. Or they may close it if there are no lines of enquiry. You can update a report with new evidence. This includes CCTV and messages. Quote your reference number when you do this. If you are unhappy with the handling, ask for the force's complaint procedure. Or contact the IOPC.
Click to mark as done
- Receive
Use the report for the paperwork chain
Use the reference number to do the paperwork. Claim on insurance for stolen items. Get replacement documents faster. This includes a passport and driving licence. Dispute fraudulent bank transactions. If your passport or BRP was stolen, report it to the issuing authority separately. A police report does not cancel documents.
Click to mark as done
Be Careful
Don't make these mistakes
Calling 999 for a crime that already happened. Call 999 only when a crime is in progress, someone is in immediate danger, or a serious incident just happened. For everything else, use 101 or report online. This includes theft that already happened, vandalism, fraud, and historical offences. This keeps emergency lines free.
Reporting fraud to your local police instead of Report Fraud. Report Fraud handles fraud, online scams, and identity theft. Call 0300 123 2040 or go to reportfraud.police.uk. It is the national reporting centre, and it is not your local force. In Scotland, report fraud to Police Scotland on 101.
Waiting to report fraud after you sent money. Report within 24 hours if you sent money. Your bank can sometimes recall it. You also need the report for reimbursement claims.
Not writing down your crime reference number. Every report gets a reference number, in a format like 24JA/12345/25, and you should write it down. Your insurer, bank, phone provider, or embassy will ask for it. Without it, claims for stolen property are routinely rejected.
Assuming a police report cancels stolen documents. Use the reference number to claim on insurance and to get replacement documents faster. If your passport or BRPBiometric Residence Permit — The card proving your UK immigration status, permission length, and right to work. Being replaced by eVisas.Click for official info ↗ was stolen, report it to the issuing authority separately. A police report does not cancel documents.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Will reporting a crime affect my immigration status?
No. You can report crime regardless of your immigration status. Police are generally not immigration officers. Being a victim or witness of crime does not count against you in later visa applications. If anything, cooperating with police is viewed positively.
I do not speak English well. Can I still report?
Yes. The 101 service and police stations can arrange telephone interpreters. This is free of charge. You can also bring someone to interpret for an initial report. But police prefer their own interpreters for statements used in court.
The police closed my case without catching anyone. What now?
Most theft and burglary reports are closed after initial enquiries. This happens if there are no viable leads. You can request a review. But the practical value of the report is the reference number. You need it for insurance and document replacement. Keep the number permanently with your records.
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