Zgłoszenie przestępstwa
Jak zgłosić przestępstwo na policję i jakie są Twoje prawa jako ofiary.
Przegląd
If you are a victim of crime or witness a crime, you should report it to the police. In an emergency (crime in progress, life in danger), call 999. For non-emergency reports, call 101 or report online through your local police force's website. All victims of crime are entitled to support under the Victims' Code (Code of Practice for Victims of Crime 2020), which sets out the services and information victims are entitled to receive.
Proces krok po kroku
Call 999 or 101
If there is an emergency (the crime is happening now, someone is in danger, or the offender is nearby), call 999 immediately. For non-emergency reports, call 101. You can also report many crimes online through your local police force website or through the national reporting service.
- For fraud, report to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040) rather than the police
- For online crime, report to Action Fraud or the National Crime Agency
Provide a Statement
The police will ask you to provide a witness statement or victim personal statement. Give as much detail as possible: what happened, when, where, descriptions of suspects, and any witnesses. Preserve any evidence (CCTV, photos, damaged property, clothing).
- Write down everything you remember as soon as possible
- You have the right to have your statement taken at a time and place convenient to you
- Ask for a crime reference number — you will need this for insurance and follow-up
Investigation
The police will investigate the crime. This may involve interviewing witnesses, reviewing CCTV, forensic analysis, and identifying suspects. The investigation may take weeks or months. You are entitled to be kept informed of progress under the Victims' Code.
- You are entitled to be told within 5 working days if a suspect is arrested, charged, or released
- You can request a review if the police decide not to investigate or take no further action (Victims' Right to Review scheme)
Charging Decision and Court
If the police identify a suspect, the case is referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for a charging decision. The CPS applies the Full Code Test: is there sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction, and is it in the public interest to prosecute? If charged, the case goes to court. You may be asked to give evidence as a witness.
- You are entitled to victim support services and may be eligible for special measures at court
- You can make a Victim Personal Statement (VPS) to be read to the court at sentencing
- Contact the Witness Care Unit for information about the court process
Koszty
Ważne ostrzeżenia
Making a false report to the police is a criminal offence (wasting police time under s.5(2) Criminal Law Act 1967, or perverting the course of justice).
If the police decide to take no further action, you can request a review under the Victims' Right to Review scheme.