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Should you call the police?

If you’ve witnessed a crime, you may well be feeling upset or confused and have doubts about who you should speak to about it.

You are not legally required to contact the police, but your information could bring a criminal to justice. Just the act of telling the police what you’ve seen could prevent further crimes and protect others from becoming victims.

All crimes, even less serious ones, have a negative effect on neighbourhoods, so by reporting what you know you may be helping your community.

Reporting a crime

If a crime is underway or has just occurred, call 999.

In non-emergency situations you should usually contact the local police in the area where the crime has taken place. You can either go to the nearest police station with a front office open to the public, or call the local police directly.

If you don’t know which station to go to or to call, call your local force and ask them who to contact.

The officer answering your call will need to know:

• the exact location where police are needed
• why they are needed
• your own name, although you are not required to give it
• your telephone number

• Find a police force, neighbourhood policing team or police authority

• Reporting a crime

Giving your statement

Police may ask you to give a witness statement. This is a written or video-recorded account of what happened. It may be used as evidence in court, although normally witnesses who give evidence at a trial do so in person. 

Children under 17, vulnerable adult witnesses and intimidated witnesses may have their statement video-recorded. However, in most cases the police officer will write an account of what you have said, which you will be asked to sign. If the offence has just happened, officers may ask you to tour the area with them to help identify the perpetrator, or they may ask you to look at photographs to see if the crime suspect is a known criminal.

If you do give a written or video-recorded statement to the police then the court does have the power to issue a summons, which means that you would have to go to court.

Find out more about going to court as a young witness below.

• Young witnesses

Going to court as a witness

Giving evidence in court can be frightening, so it’s a good idea to prepare yourself by learning a little about the process before the case comes up.

There’s lots of help and information available for witnesses. Find out more on the link below.

Support and protection for witnesses

After providing your statement to the police, you should be referred to your local witness care unit. It will be your single point of contact for the case.

When it comes time for the court hearing, you should be referred to an organisation called Witness Service. It provides free help and advice on courts and giving evidence, and can arrange a pre-court visit.

You can also ask them to accompany you into the courtroom when it’s time for you to give evidence.

The Witness Service helps:

• any witnesses giving evidence, including witnesses for the defence
• victims and their families and friends attending court

• Witness Service Opens new window

• Witness walkthrough from Criminal Justice System Online Opens new window