Should You Report A Crime?

There are many reasons why people choose to engage with the criminal justice system, and just as many reasons why they choose not to.  If you read on through our Victim’s Journey, it will give you an idea about what happens if you report the crime.  Victim Support Isle of Man can provide support to victims whether or not the crime has been reported.

You can self-refer to Victim Support Isle of Man by phoning 01624 679950 or email at enquires@victimsupport.com

Don’t Report?

There are many reasons why a victim of crime may choose not to report the crime to police.  Studies have shown that up to 60% of crimes go unreported.

The majority of these will be ‘minor crimes’, but many will be more serious or violent incidents.  Some victims feel it is pointless to involve the police if there has been no personal injury or damage to property, despite how shaken they may feel.  Others feel it is too time-consuming or stressful to go to the police.  Some feel that the police are overstretched and do not want to bother them with a ‘trivial’ matter.  Other victims of unreported crime may have worries about intimidation or reprisals if they involve outside authorities.  All of these are completely valid reasons, and no-one can force you to report a crime.

Victim Support Isle of Man can give you emotional support and practical advice in the aftermath of crime, even if you have not reported the crime to the police.

Report A Crime?

If you are a victim of a crime, or if you see a crime taking place, it is up to you whether you tell the police.  You can still avail of Victim Support Isle of Man support services if you do not report the crime.
You can report a crime in a number of ways:

• 999 if it is an emergency
• If the incident is non-urgent you can phone 631212 to report it
• You can go directly to a police station,
• You can also ask someone else you trust to report the crime on your behalf, or report anonymously via the Freephone Crimestoppers number 0800 555111

The police should take appropriate measures to make sure you are understood.  This can include translation or interpretation services, free of charge.
They will also give you details of the type of support you can access, the contact details of the officer involved in your case, a crime reference number, and other information of relevance to you.

The more information you can give the police when reporting a crime, the better.  You should tell the police as much as you can about the offence, and should also let them know if you fear for your own or your family’s safety, if there has been any personal injury or damage to property, and if you feel the offence was aggravated by sectarian or racial abuse or hatred.