Go to: main menu, sub menu; Skip navigation

Contacting the Police

What should I do if I witness a crime?

If you see a crime or offence being committed, report it, or ask someone else to report it while you continue to watch what happens.

If the incident is very serious or someone is badly injured and an immediate police response is required, i.e.:

  • Where there is danger to life
  • Where there is a risk of serious injury
  • Where a crime is in progress or about to happen
  • Where an offender is still at the scene or has just left

You should dial 999 without hesitation.

We aim to arrive at emergencies in urban areas within 10 minutes and within 20 minutes in rural/motorway areas.

If the incident involves violence, it is best not to intervene. In circumstances such as this you should immediately call the police.

If you are a witness to an incident then you may need to describe those involved, or explain in detail what actually happened. Pay attention to people's height, build, hair colour and length and in particular their clothes. Write down what you saw or describe the people involved.

What will the police want to know?

The police will normally want to know the following information:

  • Your name and address
  • The telephone number you are calling from
  • A main contact number (mobile or home number)
  • The exact location of the incident you are reporting
  • The nature of the incident
  • Descriptions of the people involved
  • Whether you are a witness to the incident or reporting it on behalf of someone else

If you are still watching the incident, you may be asked to stay on the line.

If you are reporting a road accident you may also be asked:

  • The number and type of any vehicles involved
  • The number and extent of injuries
  • Whether the road is blocked
  • Whether there is debris in the roadway

What number should I ring if it is not an emergency?

For incidents of a non-urgent nature you can contact your local police. Staff are on duty 24 hours a day at all of these stations and most are open to the public round the clock. However, restricted opening times apply at the other outlying stations and during these times, telephone calls are automatically transferred to the nearest Police Station.

Should you wish to contact any of the departments operating out of Police Headquarters such as Community Safety, Complaints, Professional Standards, Crime Management, Data Protection, Drug Squad, Firearms Licensing, Asset Management, Media Relations, Road Policing, Scenes of Crime Officers or any other police department not mentioned, you may do so by contacting us at:

Central Scotland Police,
Police Headquarters
Randolphfield
Stirling FK8 2HD

Telephone number 01786 456000

Alternatively you may use the Internet to report non-urgent, less serious crimes. This system links into a national web site and can be used to report details of the following offences:

  • Theft
  • Vandalism
  • Making off without payment
  • Theft from or damage to motor vehicles

It will take approximately 30 minutes to complete the on-line notification process.

How can I contact an officer or leave a message for him / her?

Contact the officer’s station by telephone and a member of support staff will do their best to help you. Do bear in mind that most officers work shifts and may not be available to return your call for a number of days. Please allow time for them to respond to your message.