There is a massive under reporting of crime by young people in this country. Only approximately 20-30% of crime is ever reported to the police, and most of these are violent crimes such as robbery, assault or rape and sexual assault. Three main reasons are given by young people for not reporting crime, which come from both national research and local consultation in Brighton & Hove:

• Lack of confidence in the Police and the belief that nothing will be or can be done about it.
• Fear of reprisals.
• A belief that the crime was trivial and not worth reporting.

Why it is important to report crime?

By reporting crime, the Police can advise you as to what will happen, what you can do about it and point you in the direction of help and support services. In order for services like the Police and Council to tackle the high levels of crimes experienced by young people it is vital and important that all these crimes are reported. It is important for the police and Community Safety Team to know about a crime that's happened to help someone but also to find out the true level of crime and where it happens in the city i.e. identify hot spot areas like robbery or assault. Then money and resources can be directed towards them, so it's always important you report it!

How to report crime

There are many ways you can report crime.

• Report it to the Police by phoning 999 (for emergencies) or 0845 60 70 999 (for all non emergencies) or by visiting your local Police Station and reporting it in person. You can also report crime on the Sussex Police website at www.sussex.police.uk/reporting_crime/index.asp
• Report a crime to Brighton & Hove's Partnership Community Safety Team. You can phone them on 01273 294646 or by visiting the office at North Street (see 'Map of Services' for details).
• You can also phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is a confidential telephone line for reporting crime.
• Tell a Teacher, Connexions PA, Youth Worker, Parent or someone you trust.

Information which will help the Police

Try to remember as much as you can about what happened. This will help the Police to make a note of the crime and possibly identify who did it.

• The time of day it happened.
• Where it happened i.e. what street, address or near a landmark or building.
• Their name or any information you know about who they were.
• What the person was wearing: colour of top, trousers, shoes/trainers etc..
• What the person looked like: colour of hair, shape of face, whether they had a beard, mustache etc..

Links

www.sussex.police.uk/

Website for Sussex Police which gives you information about the Police, what they are doing in Brighton & Hove and across Sussex, how to report crime and make complaints.

www.safeinthecity.net/

Brighton & Hove's Community Safety Team website, which tells you about the crime and disorder priorities set by the council and police in the city. This gives you information about what the council and police are planning to do to improve the safety of people in the city.

www.crimestoppers-uk.org/

Crimestoppers is a UK-wide independent charity working to stop crime. On this website you can find out different things about crime in the UK, including how it can be stopped and solved. Here you can also report crime confidentially and anonymous.

www.cjsonline.gov.uk/

The Criminal Justice System website gives you information about the CJS in the UK and provides information for people who have been victims of crime, a witness, juror or if you have been accused or convicted of a crime.

www.youth-justice-board.gov.uk/

The Youth Justice Board website provides information about the youth justice system in England & Wales including who is involved, types of sentencing, judicial procedures (how courts work), information about preventing crime and reducing re-offending. Also includes the contact details for local Youth Offending Teams. These Teams co-ordinate the youth justice work in each local area.

www.rizer.co.uk/

This is a website about crime, consequences and the criminal justice system, designed for young people by young people, which includes stories and factual information.