In Emergencies
In an emergency you should phone 999. The emergency service is for use when an immediate response is required. You should use this service to contact police in situations where a crime is happening now or if anyone is in immediate danger. The 999 system handles calls for the fire brigade and ambulance service as well as the police so you should try to be clear about which service it is that you need. The following is what happens when you make a call:
- When your call is first answered you will be speaking to a BT or Cable & Wireless operator who will ask you which service you require.
- The operator will connect you to the service you request. The operator stays on the line with the caller until satisfied that communication has been established.
- Once you are connected to the police there are two things the police service will want to know straight away:
- Exactly where is it that police are required?
- Why do you want the police?
- You will also be asked for your name and the number that you are calling from.
For more information about when to call 999 and about reducing un-necessary 999 calls follow this link.
Non-emergency situations
In non-emergency situations you should usually contact the local police in the area where the crime has occurred. In some circumstances there are special alternative arrangements for reporting specific types of crime at http://www.met.police.uk/contact/crime.htm
Certain categories of minor crime committed in England Wales or Northern Ireland can now be reported over the Internet as long as an urgent response is not required. The Internet reporting portal is run by the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO) on behalf of the police forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The system is designed to automatically forward information to the relevant police force. You can access the portal at www.online.police.uk
To contact your local police you should either phone them or go to the nearest police station that has a front office open to the public.
Paddington Police Station
Paddington Green
2-4 Harrow Road
London
W2 IXJ
Tel: (020) 7402 1212
Open 24 hours a day
Click here to view a map of the location of Paddington Police Station
For more information visit - http://www.met.police.uk/westminster/paddington.htm
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