{"id":755,"date":"2016-11-08T15:17:24","date_gmt":"2016-11-08T15:17:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/voicenorthants.local\/myvoice\/?page_id=755"},"modified":"2016-11-22T12:45:03","modified_gmt":"2016-11-22T12:45:03","slug":"reporting-a-crime-your-questions-answered","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.voicenorthants.org\/myvoice\/faqs\/reporting-a-crime-your-questions-answered\/","title":{"rendered":"Reporting a crime – Your questions answered"},"content":{"rendered":"

These FAQ\u2019s are intended as an overview of some potential questions that you may have about reporting a crime. For any specific issues related to your case or investigation please do get in touch with us here<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n


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Can I use this website to report a crime?<\/strong><\/div>
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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\u00a0<\/span>here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Why should I report a crime?<\/strong><\/div>
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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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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What will happen if I tell the police about what happened?<\/strong><\/div>
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The police will talk to you in confidence and an investigation will be implemented with your consent.<\/span><\/p>\n

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I can't remember exactly what happened so how can I tell the police?<\/b><\/div>
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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.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Something happened to me many years ago. Can I do anything about this now?<\/b><\/div>
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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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Do I have to give a witness statement to the police?<\/strong><\/div>
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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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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