Crime info
Reporting a crime
If you’ve been a victim of crime, you’ll need to decide whether or not to tell the police.
It’s okay to feel unsure about this or worry about what will happen if you do. You might think that the police won’t care. Maybe you’ve had a bad experience with the police in the past. Or perhaps you’re worried that if you talk to the police, it will only make things worse.
If you decide to report to the police
There are positive reasons for reporting a crime. Remember that the police deal with all sorts of crime every day; they should treat everybody fairly and equally, and put your safety first.
If you report the crime, there’s more chance that the offender will be caught or brought to justice for what they’ve done. The police also keep records of all reported crime and this information goes into government statistics and reports. These can change the way crime is dealt with by the police and other parts of the criminal justice system.
How to report a crime
You can report a crime in several ways:
- Nationwide — Report to the nearest police station
- For residents in Lagos State — general emergencies (police, fire, ambulance, etc.) – 767 (or 112)
Here to help whether or not you report the crime
Victim Support will help you whether you report the crime or not. Our service is confidential, and we won’t pass on information to the police without your consent unless we think someone is at serious risk of harm and needs urgent help. Read more about our confidentiality policy.
Find out how to contact us for support.
