We all might not want to think about it, but there could be a time in our lives where we need to call the police. The most important thing in this situation is that we know the correct way to get in touch with the police depending on the issue.
Always Dial 999 in an Emergency
One of the quickest ways to get in touch with the police is by calling 999. It’s important to remember that 999 should only be used for emergencies, as there are other ways to get in touch with the police if the problem is less urgent.
What could those emergencies look like?
- If someone is very ill or injured, and their life is at risk.
- If you’ve witnessed an ongoing incident such as a road accident.
- You witness a crime in progress, especially if it’s putting the lives of others at risk.
If you call 999 by accident don’t hang up, let the phone line operator know that you’re okay so they don’t think there is a cause for concern. Find out more through this quick video.
Dial 101 for Non-emergencies
The 101 non-emergency number is there to make it easier for you to contact the police when you don’t need an emergency response.
You can use this number for a range of issues but in particular it is used for the reasons below:
- To report a crime that’s already happened, such as a theft or damage to property.
- To get advice on how to prevent a crime if you think you might be at risk.
- Let the the police know of any issues in your area they should be made aware of.
You can call 101 at anytime as it’s active 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Check this page for FAQ if you have more questions about calling 101.
Can I Contact the Police Online?
Yes! If your issue isn’t an emergency you can fill out a form online.
Can I Get in Touch With the Police in Person?
Of course you can! There are lots of police stations across Scotland that you can enter to talk through the issue you have face-to-face.
I’m Deaf, What’s the Best Way for Me to Contact the Police in an Emergency?
If you use British Sign Language (BSL) you can get in touch with the police through 999BSL, which allows you to contact the emergency services through a BSL interpreter.
You can make free emergency calls through the website in seconds. There is also an App available for both iOS and Android devices.
I Don’t Want to Give My Information. Can I Report Something Anonymously?
It’s completely understandable that there are some cases where you may not want to pass on personal information. You might be scared to get involved or don’t want the police to contact you back and that’s completely understandable. That’s why CrimeStoppers have their dedicated youth service Fearless, which lets young people pass on information about crime while staying completely anonymous.
If you’re looking to give information anonymously through Fearless you can do so either online or call.
- 0800 555 111
- Online Reporting Form
Do you have any more questions about contacting or reporting crime to the police? Check our page in partnership with Police Scotland to find out more.