Police & Reporting a Crime
What to say on 999, 101 and to officers.
Emergency, which service? Police, please, someone's breaking in!
Computer voice · not a real clip
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About 4 min Free, no account
All 15 phrases
Calling for help3
- Emergency, which service? / Police, pleaseThe operator first asks which service you need.
- Press 55 to be put through to the policeSilent Solution: if you call 999 from a mobile and can't speak, cough or tap first.
- It's not an emergency, but I'd like to report somethingFor 101, the non-emergency number, or for reporting online
Reporting a crime7
- I'd like to report a theftStandard opening line
- My phone's been nickedNicked = stolen (informal).
- I've been muggedSomeone robbed you in person, often with threats or force
- Someone's broken into my carReporting a break-in
- Could I get a crime reference number?You'll need it for insurance claims and for your bank
- I want to report a scamIn England, Wales and NI, fraud goes to Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud).
- Hang up and call 159If someone claiming to be your bank calls, hang up and dial 159.
If police stop you5
- Can I see your warrant card?Asking to see police ID.
- Why have you stopped me?If you're searched, officers must tell you why.
- Am I under arrest, or am I free to go?A calm way to find out where you stand
- I'd like to speak to a solicitorFree legal advice is available at the police station
- You do not have to say anythingThe start of the police caution (England and Wales).
Check yourself15 questions
Question 1 of 15
What does the 999 operator ask first?
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About this pack
- Price
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- Reviews
- 1, 3, 7, 14 and 30 days later
- Moments
- 0 of 15 phrases have a clip
- Sources
Picked by Talk, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Phrases
- Picked by Talk.
- How Talk picked them
- Part of Talk's themed British life packs. Talk wrote each phrase with what it really means, when to say it, what not to say instead and one quiz question. A phrase gets a moment only if Talk's spoken videos say it with the same meaning. One review picked each moment, and a second tried to reject it. This pack holds 15 phrases.
- Licence
- Talk shares this list under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Meanings and examples
- Written by Talk in plain English.
- Dictionary details
- From Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Princeton WordNet, used under the WordNet licence. WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
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About 4 min Free, no account