Reporting a crime in Lincoln is a vital step in ensuring community safety and assisting the police in their investigations. The process depends on the severity of the incident.
For Emergencies (Crimes in Progress): If a crime is happening right now, or someone is in immediate danger, always call 999. This includes situations like robberies, assaults, or any incident where there is a risk of harm.
Non-Emergency Crime Reporting: For crimes that have already occurred and don't require an immediate response, you have several options.
- Online Reporting: Lincolnshire Police provides an online reporting tool accessible through their website (lincolnshire.police.uk). This is a convenient way to report various crimes, such as theft, criminal damage, or fraud. The online portal allows you to provide detailed information and upload relevant evidence.
- Phone – 101: The non-emergency number, 101, is available 24/7. This is the appropriate channel for reporting crimes that don't require an immediate police response.
Understanding Lincoln’s Context: It's helpful to understand Lincoln's context when considering crime reporting. With a population of 105,114, the area has a crime rate of 153.3 per 1,000 residents. This is notably higher than the UK average of 91.6. Lincoln’s safety score is 67/100, also lower than the UK average of 79. While this data reflects overall crime levels, it’s important to remember that crime rates can vary significantly within different areas of the city.
What Information to Provide: When reporting a crime, be prepared to provide as much detail as possible. This includes:
- What happened
- When and where it happened
- Who was involved
- Any descriptions of people or vehicles involved
- Any property that was stolen or damaged
Reporting crimes, even seemingly minor ones, helps the police build a picture of crime trends and allocate resources effectively. Falsely reporting a crime is a serious offence; ensure the information you provide is accurate and truthful.