How to Report Crime (and wildlife crime) Anonymously

Ailsa Black

Crimestoppers is an independent charity (which also lets you report wildlife crime anonymously), that gives communities the power to stop crime, by anonymously reporting concerns (by phone or online, every day of the year).

Began as a Community Action Trust in 1988, it was founded for a way to people to come forward with information about the murder of PC Keith Blakelock, during the 1985 London riots. Police knew that some people knew who was responsible, but were too afraid to come forward.

Since that time, they have listened to millions of people (most reports are now online), with appeals having resulted in over 140,000 arrests.

Co-founder Lord Ashcroft is an interesting character. A former Conservative politician, he has signed up to The Giving Pledge (where the world’s wealthiest individuals pledge to give most of their wealth to good causes).

He is also passionate about wildlife. He campaigns against whale harpooning, captive breeding and trophy hunting (since the sad death of Cecil the lion, over 60 wild lions have been killed by British hunters). The ban has been delayed, by some peers in the House of Lords.

Crimestoppers also run regular campaigns. Current ones include:

• Setting up Neighbourhood Watch Schemes
• Targeting retail crime, shoplifting and money laundering.
• Preventing irresponsible use of fireworks (near police forces)
• Stopping exploitation of vulnerable workers
• Preventing rural crime and illegal dumping of waste.

A Suite of Crime Prevention Advice

Crimestoppers website has a whole suite of good information on keeping safe, which is a good read for personal use, businesses, councils, schools and communities. It covers:

• Personal safety (domestic abuse, weapons crime, child neglect, sexual harassment and stalking, violence against sex workers, theft, hate crimes, mobile phone safety, identity theft and staying safe abroad.
• Home and property safety (preventing home burglaries and vehicle theft). Plus tips on online safety, fraud prevention, scams and fake bank notes.
• Rural crime – tip on preventing theft, arson, fly-tipping and wildlife crime (birds of prey, badger baiting, hare coarsing, harming bats and illegal poaching).

Crimestoppers is not the police. For emergencies, obviously call 999 (and don’t waste their time – some people even call this number to report not being able to complete a crossword puzzle answer?)

In 35 years, this charity’s guarantee of anonymity has never been broken. Yet it also offers rewards to some for giving information. Just ask for a reward code when you first speak to a call agent, or enter REWARD REQUEST in the online form. Then log back in 24 hours later, to get your reward code.

This can then be used to pick up cash rewards at designated banks, without need to show ID, using a secret password and pickup date.

Decide the safest reporting route

Think of reporting as choosing the right door. Some doors are for immediate danger, some are for later, and one is built for staying unnamed.

1. Is anyone in danger right now, or is the crime happening now?
2. Is it non-urgent, but still needs police attention?
3. Do you need to stay fully anonymous, even from the police?

In a genuine emergency, speed matters more than paperwork. On the other hand, if you’ve discovered damage after the fact, you’ll usually have time to report calmly.

If there’s a live risk to people, animals, or property, report it as an emergency first. You can sort out privacy concerns during the call.

When it is an emergency: call 999

Call 999 when there’s danger now. That includes ongoing violence, serious threats, burglary in progress, arson, or someone carrying a weapon. It also includes active wildlife persecution, for example, people setting dogs on animals, using traps in front of you, or poisoning bait being placed.

999 is not an anonymous service. The call handler may see your number, and the police may need a statement later. Still, you can say early on that you’re worried about your identity, and ask for your details to be kept private. Call handlers deal with this every day.

Keep it short at the start. Share the things that help officers arrive quickly:

• Exact location (road name, nearby landmark, postcode if you know it).
• What is happening now, in plain words.
• Descriptions of people, vehicles, and clothing.
• Direction of travel, if someone is leaving (towards the high street, down the lane, northbound).

If you can’t stay on the line, say so. If you can, stay nearby at a safe distance and update what you see.

When it is not urgent: report to police on 101 or online

Use the non-emergency route when the risk isn’t immediate. For example, you notice suspicious activity, you find damage later, you hear repeated shouting next door, or you spot signs of illegal hunting the next day.

For these reports, you can contact the police on 101 or use your local force’s online reporting. Online can feel easier because you can take your time and stick to facts.

If you give your details, ask how your information will be handled. You can request that the police don’t share your details with the suspect. Some forces can flag reports as restricted or confidential. It doesn’t guarantee you’ll never be contacted again, but it reduces the chance your name goes further than it needs to.

Worried you’ll be forced into court? In many cases, the police can act on intelligence without using you as a witness. Sometimes they will need a formal statement, but they should explain your options.

• Anonymous reporting works best when you treat your information like a sealed envelope. Put the key facts inside, but don’t put your return address on it.
• Start by writing down what you saw while it’s fresh. A few clear notes are better than a long story. Then choose a channel that matches your need for anonymity.
• Also think about your own “digital footprints”. If you post on social media first, you can accidentally reveal where you were standing, who you were with, or what time you were there. That can undo anonymity in seconds.

A quick evidence checklist that helps police

Write down:

• Location: postcode, nearby access point, landmark, or a What3Words reference if you know it.
• Time and date: when it happened, and when you saw it.
• People: height, build, clothing, accents, and any obvious features.
• Vehicles: colour, make, model, and number plate (even a partial plate helps).
• Direction of travel: where they went, and how fast.
• Tools or weapons: only what you saw, not guesses.

Photos or video can help, but only if it’s safe and legal. Don’t trespass to get a better angle. Don’t confront anyone. Don’t touch items left behind, because you could destroy fingerprints or contaminate evidence. Save files securely, and avoid sharing them publicly before reporting.

Wildlife crime: what to look for, who to tell, and what details matter most

• Wildlife crime isn’t just “country things”. It can happen on footpaths, riverbanks, farmland edges, parks, and even gardens. Walkers, farmers, anglers, and dog guardians often spot the first clues.
• Wildlife crime includes harming protected species, illegal hunting, illegal trapping, and damaging habitats. Sometimes it looks like a single incident. Other times it’s part of a pattern across weeks.
• Police deal with wildlife crime, and your report can link to other intelligence. If it’s happening now, treat it like any other emergency and call 999. If it’s not urgent, report via 101, online, or anonymously.

Common wildlife crimes people can report 

Examples people report include raptor persecution (such as poisoned bait or trapped birds of prey), badger setts that are blocked or disturbed, illegal hare coursing, deer poaching, illegal netting or fish trapping (including eel traps), trading protected species, and damage to nesting sites.

If you’re not sure whether something is illegal, report what you saw anyway. Investigators can sort out the legal detail later.

Wildlife offences often happen in remote places, so location detail matters even more than usual. A “field near the woods” is hard to search. A grid reference or What3Words point is far easier.

Try to note:

• Grid reference or What3Words, plus the nearest road or parking spot.
• How people accessed the area (gate, track, footpath).
• Vehicle details, including number plates and where they were parked.
• Number of people and what they were doing.
• Weapons, traps, nets, or lamps, if seen.
• Unusual smells (for example, chemicals), without getting close.
• Dead or injured animals, seen from a safe distance.

Take extra care around suspected poison. Don’t touch bait, and keep children and pets away. Report urgently, because poison can harm pets, wildlife, and people.