No. In an emergency, always call 999. To report less urgent crimes or disorder call the police non-emergency number 101. You can find more information on 101 here.

If you report a crime, then the police have the opportunity to work towards solving your crime and preventing further offences. They use the information you provide to study crime trends and if a pattern is identifiable then they can work towards resolving it perhaps by targeting certain areas at relevant times.

The police may work with other agencies, e.g. housing associations or councils. If criminals go unchallenged there is a strong likelihood of them continuing their offending.

The police will talk to you in confidence and an investigation will be implemented with your consent.

If you are worried and think something has happened to you, tell the police about it. In many cases, a police investigation can uncover other evidence and witnesses which may support your account.

Yes, the police frequently investigate historical crimes. While there is no guarantee that a historical crime can be solved, the process can be beneficial to individuals who find that they now have access to support services. 

No. Although there is no legal requirement to give a witness statement there is a civic duty on each of us to help the police with their enquiries.

For many, the prospect of making a statement and appearing in court can be a concern. The police and courts appreciate that many people feel this way and have processes in place to help you feel more at ease.