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Making a police report

Information about how to report a crime to the police.

Who can report a crime

Anyone can report a crime, even if they are not a victim or a witness to a crime.

You don’t have to report a crime, unless you have information about a serious crime. You may be committing an offence if you don’t report certain serious crimes. If you witnessed or know about a serious crime and don’t want to report it to the police, you should get legal advice. 

Time limits

There is no time limit on reporting a crime. You can make a report even if the crime happened a long time ago. However, the more time that passes before a crime is reported the more difficult it can be for police to investigate.

There are also some crimes that must be prosecuted within a certain time of the offence occurring. If this time limit has passed, no charges can be laid. There is no time limit for police to charge someone for serious offences.

How to report a crime

There are a number of ways to report a crime to the police.

In an emergency, you should call 000.

You can also call:

You can visit your nearest police station to report a crime.

If you need extra support to report a crime, you can ask to speak to the:

  • Domestic Violence Liaison Officer
  • Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer
  • Multicultural Community Liaison Officer
  • Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer
  • Youth Liaison Officer.

You can also make an online report through Report To Crime Stoppers on the NSW Police Force website.

Reporting a sexual assault

If you have been sexually assaulted, you can report this to the police and ask them to do an investigation.

If you don’t want to make a police report or have the matter investigated, but you want a record of what occurred, you can complete an  online questionnaire called a Sexual Assault Reporting Option (SARO).

For more information, see Reporting a sexual assault.

Reporting neglect or abuse of a child or young person

You can report neglect or abuse of a child or young person to the police. If it is an emergency, you should call 000.

In non-emergency situations, you should contact your nearest police station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

You can also make a report to the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111. For more information, see the Care and protection topic.

Help to make a report

If you need help or support to make a report, you may be able to have a support person with you when you speak to the police. 

You can also ask for help from a specialist police officer, including:

  • a Domestic Violence Liaison Officer
  • an Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer
  • a Multicultural Community Liaison Officer
  • a Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer
  • a Youth Liaison Officer.

For more information, see Victim Support and Referral on the NSW Police Force website.

If you are worried about making a report, you should speak to a counsellor or get legal advice. A lawyer can help you to understand the legal process and give you advice about any issues that you’re worried about. A lawyer may also be able to help you prepare a statement to give the police.  

Making a statement

If you are a complainant or witness in a criminal investigation, police will usually ask you to make a statement.

A statement can be used as evidence in court.

Making a formal statement to the police can be scary and intimidating. To help make it a bit easier, you should ask to have a support person with you when you give your statement.

Sometimes the police will ask questions that are difficult or embarrassing to answer.

It is important that you tell the police what happened, in your own words. You should make sure that you don’t leave anything out, even if you don’t think it’s important. No matter how small or insignificant something is, you should tell the police. It could be really important to the case.

You can take your time when you give a statement and ask the police to take breaks when you need them.

After giving a statement, you should contact police if you remember something or realise you forgot to tell them something. You can always arrange to give another statement to the police.

Getting a copy of your statement

If you want a copy of your statement, you can get this from the police.

If the police refuse, you can apply for your statement to be released to you. You can:

  • apply under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (NSW) (GIPA Act),or
  • apply under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW) (PPIP Act).

These laws allow members of the public to access some information and documents from government departments like the NSW Police.

Accessing your own information under the PPIP Act is free. Applications under the GIPA Act may have a fee.

For more information about making an application under the PPIP or GIPA Acts, see How to access NSW government information on the NSW Information and Privacy Commission website.

If your case goes to court with a prosecutor, you can ask the prosecutor for a copy of your statement.

If your case has finished, you can send a written request to:

Deputy Solicitor (Legal)
Locked Bag A8
Sydney South NSW 1232.

Police investigations and decisions about charges

After you make your report, the police may investigate and gather evidence of the crime. This may include examining the crime scene and talking to people who may have witnessed, or have information about, the crime.

When deciding whether to charge someone, the police or prosecutor must follow guidelines. These guidelines set out what they must consider, including whether:

  • there is evidence that can prove the offence
  • there is a reasonable prospect of conviction
  • there are reasons why the matter should not proceed.

For more information, see Chapter 1. The decision to prosecute in the Prosecution Guidelines on The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions website.

Police take no action

If the police decide not to take action, you can ask them why they made this decision.

Under the Charter of Victims Rights, you should be informed in a timely manner of:

  • what the accused is charged with or why police did not charge them with something
  • any decision of the prosecution to change or not go ahead with the charges. This can includes where the prosecution might let the accused plead guilty to a lesser charge in return for withdrawing other charges
  • the date and place of the hearing
  • the outcome of the case against the accused, including sentencing and appeals.

You should be asked about these decisions before they are made if the crime:

  • is a serious crime that involves sexual violence, or
  • caused you actual bodily harm, psychological or psychiatric harm.

You can still apply for victims support even if the police don’t charge anyone for the crime.

For more information, see Victims Support Scheme.

Offender is charged

If the police charge the offender with an offence, they must decide whether to give the offender bail. They can:

  • release the offender without bail
  • release the offender on bail, with or without conditions
  • refuse the offender bail.

You must be:

  • told if the defendant applies for bail or asks to change their bail conditions
  • asked about your need for protection while the case is being heard
  • told about the outcome of any bail applications.

During the case, the police should:

  • follow the Charter of Victims Rights
  • follow the NSW Police Force Customer Service Charter
  • use interpreters when needed
  • give you a victims’ card.

A victims’ card has:

  • the name and phone number of the Officer in Charge
  • the COPS event number
  • the contact details for the Victims Access Line
  • information about the Charter of Victims Rights
  • a QR code that links to the NSW Police Force victim support hub.

For more information, see Charter of Victims’ Rights on the NSW Police Force website.

If the police or prosecutor decide to charge the accused, they will bring the case to court. If the case goes to court, the police may want you to give evidence as a witness.

For more information, see Going to court – Victims.

Complaints about police

If you are unhappy with how the police acted, you can complain.

There are different complaint processes depending on:

  • whether you want to make an informal or formal complaint
  • the seriousness of the complaint.

For more information, see Victim complaints about police.

Last updated: June 2026

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