Crimes > Reporting an offence

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Reporting an offence

Before pre-trial investigation can begin the police need to have as detailed a description as possible of the offence and of the parties involved. The parties are the injured party (person/persons affected by the criminal act) and the suspect/s.

The following information is required when reporting an offence:

• description of what happened and how it happened
• precise time and place of the events
• name of the offender, if known
• description of the offender (age, height, build, facial features, eye colour, teeth, speech, hands, way of walking, dress)
• how and in which direction the offender fled
• if the offender had a vehicle, the vehicle registration number and other means of identification (make, colour, model)
• how dangerous the offender is (armed, state of mind, threats, substance abuse, etc.).

The police will enter the reported information in the Investigation and Legal Assistance System sub-file of the Data System for Police Matters.

Offences in which the prosecution rests with the injured party will only be investigated by the police if the injured party demands that the offender be punished. Wilful supply of incorrect information is a punishable act.
Form for reporting an offence



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