Reporting to the police

Reporting abuse to the police can feel daunting, especially when you’re not sure what will happen. You don’t have to have everything figured out before you speak to someone – the police are there to listen, take you seriously and help you stay safe.

Here’s what to expect, what information can help the police and the different ways you can get in touch. 

What to expect

If you’re reporting something that’s happened to you, the police should arrange to speak with you somewhere you feel safe. Their first priority is to check how you are and whether you need any immediate medical help.

When you’re ready to talk, the officer may ask a few simple questions to understand what happened. These are often along the lines of:

  • Who was involved?
  • What happened?
  • Where did it happen?
  • When did it happen?

It’s completely ok if you can’t answer every question – they know people don’t always remember everything. They’ll talk you through the next steps at your pace and explain your options, what might happen next and what support is available.

If you’re in immediate danger, they’ll focus on keeping you safe.

Gathering evidence

You don’t need any proof to make a report. Your account matters and will be listened to. If you have evidence, it can help the police understand what happened and take action, but it’s not required. Even small details you think might not be important can be useful. This might include:

  • Messages, emails, call logs or social media DM’s
  • Screenshots or saved audio notes
  • Photos of damage or injuries
  • Details of incidents you’ve written down, even if they’re brief
  • Names of anyone who saw or heard what happened.

The police may also take their own statements, check CCTV, review digital evidence or speak to other people involved.

Common concerns about reporting

  • It’s common to feel unsure, but the police and support services are trained to listen, take you seriously and respond without judgement.

  • No. Some people worry they’ll get in trouble for reporting abuse, but you won’t. Asking for help or telling the police what’s happened is not something you'll be punished for.

  • No. You don’t have to wait for an emergency to report abuse. If something has happened and you’re worried, you can contact the police at any time. You can also get advice first and talk through your options before deciding what to do.

  • If you feel your report wasn’t handled properly, you can raise a complaint with the police. Your concerns should be taken seriously, and you have the right to challenge how a report was dealt with. Every police force has a complaints process you can use, or you can find information through the Independent Office for Police Conduct. 

Contact options

You can choose the way that feels safest and easiest for you:

Call 999

If you or someone else is in immediate danger. If it’s unsafe to speak, you can then press 55 and you’ll be transferred to a police call handler trained to deal with ‘silent calls’.

Call 101

For non-emergency situations where you still want to report what’s happened.

Report online

Most police forces let you report concerns through their website at any time. You can give as much or as little detail as you feel able to.

Visit a police station

If you'd prefer to talk face-to-face, many stations have private rooms where you can speak confidentially.

If you’re unsure whether you should report to the police, you can talk it through with a support service first – they can help you decide what feels right for you.

Other reporting options