A good description of anyone you see committing a crime, or acting suspiciously, is invaluable to the Police. If you do see a crime being committed dial 999 immediately and ask for the Police. Keep calm, give your name, address and telephone number. Report where and what is happening. Stay on the phone and , if you can safely, keep watching and write down any description that you can. Similarly if you see someone acting suspiciously, write down what you see as soon as possible. It's important to try and build up a complete picture of a person, so make a note of the most obvious features that will help identify the offender.
Write down as many details as you can. The following are some examples:
- Whether male or female
- A rough idea of the age
- Skin colour
- Type of haircut and hair colour
- Build (short, tall, fat, thin etc.)
- Facial features (clean shaven, moustache etc)
- Weather wearing spectacles or not
- The colour of their eyes, if close enough.
- Any tattoos or other distinguishing marks.
- Clothing worn and colours, including footwear.
Apart from the offenders appearance, were they carrying anything? Were they smoking? Where there any other characteristics of note about the person? If you heard them speak, did they have an accent or a speech impediment. What did they say? If a vehicle is involved, write down the registration number, colour, make and model. Did it have any writing or other distinguishing marks on it? It may be covered in rust or have a dent on the wing. In which direction did the vehicle leave the scene? Also remember to keep a record of the time and date of your observations.
All these details can be very useful to the Police particularly if a statement is required, and can help piece together the whole chain of events.
Always remember when observing a possible crime to stay safe yourself!
Page last updated/reviewed 1st February2010 |
