Reporting a Crime
The Police Department of the Velocity Interoperability Network takes reports of crime and incidents at the sites of the Velocity Interoperability Network from staff of member organisations, citizens and visitors. Every report is recorded, given a reference number and assessed within one working day. This page sets out how to make a report, what to include and the response you may expect.
In an emergency, alert the emergency point at your site or the nearest officer on duty
How to report. The steps below apply to every report, whether made at a station counter or in writing.
Step 1: Decide whether the matter is an emergency
A crime is an emergency if it is happening now, if someone is injured or in danger, or if a suspect is still nearby. In an emergency, alert the emergency point at your site or the nearest officer on duty at once. The control room directs the nearest patrol; the target attendance time at a principal site is fifteen minutes.
Step 2: Make yourself safe and preserve the scene
Do not confront a suspect or attempt to recover property yourself. Where it is safe to do so, leave the scene as you found it, keep others away from it and note the time.
Step 3: Gather the details
Write down what happened, where and when, a description of anyone involved, the direction they left in and any vehicle used, and a list of property taken or damaged with its approximate value. Keep any messages, receipts or photographs that bear on the matter.
Step 4: Make your report
Report at the counter of any police station during counter hours, or in writing to the Department's email address at any time. Give your name, your staff or citizen identification number if you have one, your site and a way of reaching you by email.
Step 5: Note your reference number
Every report receives a crime or incident reference number, given at the counter or sent by email within one working day. Quote it in all later correspondence and when claiming from an insurer or an employer.
Step 6: Await the outcome
Your report is assessed within one working day and allocated according to its seriousness. You will be told by email who is dealing with it, asked for any further information needed, and informed of the outcome when the matter is closed.
What to include. A report that contains the details below can be acted on without a further exchange of correspondence.
- What happened
- A plain account of the offence or incident in the order it occurred, including anything said by those involved.
- Where and when
- The site, the building or area within it, and the date and time as precisely as you can give them. If you are unsure, give the period within which it must have happened.
- Who was involved
- Descriptions of any suspect, including clothing and distinguishing features, the direction of travel, and details of any vehicle. Give the names and contact details of witnesses where you have them.
- What was taken or damaged
- A list of property with serial numbers, identifying marks and approximate value. For cycles and vehicles, give the make, model, colour and registration or frame number.
- Evidence you hold
- Messages, emails, receipts, photographs or recordings that bear on the matter. Do not alter or delete them; the officer dealing with your report will tell you how to supply them.
How reports are graded. Reports are graded by the control room at the point they are received. The grade determines the response and may be revised if further information is received.
| Grade | Applies to | Response |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency | A crime in progress, injury or danger to a person, or a suspect still at the scene | Immediate dispatch; attendance within 15 minutes at a principal site |
| Priority | A recent offence with a line of enquiry, a vulnerable victim, or a serious public order matter | Attendance within 4 hours |
| Scheduled | An offence with no immediate line of enquiry where a statement or examination is needed | Appointment within 3 working days |
| Recorded | A report for record purposes, such as lost property or minor damage with no suspect | Reference issued; no attendance unless further information is received |
A report is allocated to a patrol officer, to the community policing team for the site or to an investigator according to its grade and the lines of enquiry available. Where a line of enquiry is exhausted the matter is closed and the person who reported it is told; it is reopened if new information comes to light. Reports of lost or found property are dealt with by the property office of the station concerned, as described on the Police Stations page.
Reporting on behalf of an organisation. Member organisations may nominate a member of staff to report offences against the organisation and to receive the outcome. The nomination should be sent in writing to the Department and is recorded against the organisation's entry in the Department's records.
Reports in writing may be sent to contact@police.gov.vin at any time. For the location and hours of station counters, see Police Stations; for advice on preventing the offences most often recorded at Network sites, see Safety Advice; for answers to common questions, see the frequently asked questions.