Calling the Police

There are two telephone numbers to contact the Police:

When to dial 999

• In an emergency.  The minute you feel distressed enough to really need a Policeman - dial the number.  It is not you who decides whether or not a Policeman is dispatched; that remains the responsibility of the 999 operator.  The Police will respond to a proper 999 at speed.  An inappropriate call could endanger life on the roads unncessarily.  If in doubt - think - do you really want the help and assistance of the Police this very minute?  If the answer is 'yes', dial 999.
• More frequently, you should dial 999 if you witness a 'crime in progress'.  This could be a burglary, a car being broken into or even criminal damage such as graffiti.  Again, if in doubt and something suspicious is happening in front of you that you believe is connected to crime, dial 999.
• You return home and find your front door kicked in and believe you have been burgled, do you dial 999?  That depends upon whether it is a 'crime in progress'.  If you suspect the intruder is in the building, dial 999.  If not, you should call 101.
• To report a committed crime - for example, your car has been damaged or broken into, do not go to a Police Station.  Phone the Police Enquiry Centre on 101 and press the number given to report a crime.  If you attend a Police Station you will be directed to a phone in the reception area.

Everything else - dial 101

That is reporting crimes or speaking to a named Police Officer.  This number goes through a call centre with push button controls.  If you wish to speak with someone direct, you simply hold on.

• After you send your report you will receive confirmation that it has been received by Thames Valley Police. They will contact you to explain how they are going to deal with your enquiry and aim to do this as soon as possible.  All personal details sent using this service will be kept safe and are used for policing purposes only. 
• Always call 999 in an emergency. It’s an emergency when a crime is being committed, there’s a risk of injury, or there’s a risk of serious damage to property.  If it isn’t an emergency but a quick response is needed, call 101 and this is answered 24 hours a day or visit your local Police Station during opening hours.
  
  

• With the launch of the new Thames Valley Police website recently, members of the public can now update occurrences and URNs online, without having to contact 101. With the increase in call demand that Contact Management (the PEC) are experiencing, the new website means that we can help to speed up and reduce the number of calls to 101.
  
  
• Please use this link:https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report

• Or call:
  Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.