If you feel distressed enough about an incident dial 999. The operator will make the choice if policeman is sent out.

If you witness a crime in progress  dial 999.  It could be a burglary, car broken into/ kid looking into car with torch or someone painting graffiti.

If you return home and find door kicked in and believe someone is still on the premises (crime in progress) – dial 999.  If not and you believe they have gone dial 101.  If you believe someone is still inside do not go in.

You can no longer report a committed crime directly to an officer at a police station.

If you are on a mobile dial 112 instead of 999. All EU countries use it.  It is free from all public and mobile phones.

Everything else dial 101.  If you see something suspicious, people in back garden, fence hopping, unusual suspicious cars with occupants, people delivering leaflets who appear to be taking too much interest in a property, business cards in door frame that later show whether you have returned, .  Use your instincts – police welcome the intelligence.

When you dial 101 you can be connected to one of four call centres, Milton Keynes, Police HQ Kidlington, Abingdon or Windsor.

To report a crime press 1 – to talk to someone just hold on.

These calls cost and initially you will hear a recorded message from Chief Constable.

When you get through it is suggested you firstly ask what PEC (Police Call Centre) you are speaking to.  By using PEC jargon it makes them think you know the system.  If it is not the Windsor call centre you may have to give more detail about location.  Home Office require some questions about sex, age, dob and ethnic group first.  The operator will then record the detals you give them on screen.

Each report has a URN (Unique Reference Number) so ask for the number if they haven’t provided one.  This number allows you to follow up the report later.  The report will include any record of attendance by the police.