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When to contact the police
If you think a child may be at immediate risk of harm, call 999 straight away. Tell the operator you are worried about a child sexual abuse concern and give as much information as you can.
If there is no immediate danger, you can still report your concerns to the police as soon as possible. You do not need proof before making a report if you believe a child may be at risk.
What to say when you report
Give the police the child’s name, age, and address if you know them. Explain what has happened, when it happened, and why you are worried.
Include any details about the alleged abuser, such as their name, relationship to the child, appearance, or where they may be found. If the child has told you something directly, write down their exact words as soon as you can.
Only share facts you know or observations you have made. Try not to guess or fill in gaps, because clear information can help the police assess the risk quickly.
How to report
You can report child sexual abuse concerns by calling 101 if it is not an emergency. If you need a crime reference number, ask for one when you make the report.
You can also contact your local police force online in many parts of the UK. Some forces have online reporting forms for safeguarding concerns, and others will direct you to the right department.
If you are hearing or speech impaired, you may be able to use Relay UK by dialling 18001 before the number you need. If you are unsure which service to use, 999 is still the right choice in an emergency.
What happens next
The police may ask follow-up questions and may work with social services to protect the child. They might also speak to other agencies, such as schools or healthcare professionals, if that helps safeguard the child.
Not every report leads to an arrest straight away, but your information can still be important. The police will decide what action is needed based on the risk and evidence available.
If the child is in immediate danger, the police can take urgent steps to protect them. This may include attending the address, removing the suspect, or arranging emergency safeguarding action.
Getting support and keeping records
Write down what you saw, heard, and reported, including dates and times. Keep a copy of any messages, notes, or photos that may help the police understand the concern.
If you are worried about a child but are not sure about contacting the police, you can also speak to your local authority children’s services team. If the child is at school, you can report your concerns to the designated safeguarding lead as well.
Remember that child sexual abuse concerns should always be taken seriously. Acting quickly can help protect a child and make sure the right support is put in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Report child sexual abuse concerns to the police UK means contacting the police if you suspect a child is being sexually abused, is at immediate risk, or has disclosed abuse. It should be used as soon as you believe a child may be in danger or a crime may have occurred.
If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police right away. Give the child’s location, your name and contact details if you are willing, and any urgent facts that will help officers respond quickly.
If there is no immediate danger, contact your local police on 101 or use the police force’s online reporting options where available. You can also speak to a child protection professional or social services, but the police should be informed if a crime is suspected.
Provide the child’s name, age, address or current location, details of what happened or was disclosed, names or descriptions of the suspected person, dates, times, places, and any messages, images, or witnesses. Share only what you know and say clearly if something is a concern or a direct disclosure.
Yes, you can usually make a report without giving your name, although the police may be better able to investigate if they can contact you for more details. If you are worried about safety, tell the operator or officer that you want to remain anonymous.
No, you do not need proof to make a report. If you have evidence such as messages, photos, videos, or notes, mention it and keep it safe, but a suspicion, disclosure, or pattern of concerning behaviour is enough to contact the police.
Listen calmly, reassure the child that they were right to tell you, do not promise secrecy, and do not ask leading questions. Make a careful note of the child’s exact words as soon as possible and report the concern to the police and appropriate safeguarding services.
Yes, professionals can and should report concerns to the police UK when they suspect child sexual abuse or receive a disclosure. They should also follow their organisation’s safeguarding procedures, but those procedures do not replace contacting the police where a crime may have occurred.
The police will assess the risk, record the information, and decide what immediate action is needed to protect the child. They may contact you for more details, speak with the child in a specialist way, work with social services, and investigate the suspected offence.
Yes, if you are worried a child may be being sexually abused, it is better to report the concern than to wait. You do not need certainty; the police and safeguarding professionals can assess the information and decide on next steps.
In many areas, yes, police forces offer online reporting for non-emergency concerns. If the child is at immediate risk or you believe abuse is happening now, call 999 instead of using an online form.
You should still report the concern to the police UK, even if the suspected person is a parent, relative, or caregiver. The child’s safety is the priority, and the police and safeguarding agencies can help protect the child and assess the family situation.
Preserve any evidence exactly as it is if safe to do so, such as messages, screenshots, letters, photos, or devices. Do not delete, edit, forward, or share the material more than necessary, and tell the police how they can access it.
Yes, you can report historic abuse to the police UK at any time. Even if the abuse happened years ago, the report may help protect the child, identify patterns, or support an investigation into offences that occurred in the past.
The police will handle the information sensitively and share it only with people who need to know for safeguarding or investigation purposes. They may need to reveal details if a case goes to court, but they will aim to protect your privacy where possible.
If you report a genuine concern in good faith, you should not worry about being wrong. It is normal for safeguarding concerns to need assessment, and reporting early can still help protect a child even if the situation turns out differently.
Yes, a child can tell the police directly, call 999 in an emergency, or use child-friendly help routes if available. If a child wants to report but feels scared, they can also tell a trusted adult, teacher, doctor, or social worker who can help make the report.
If the concern involves online grooming, sexual messages, images, or contact, report it to the police UK as soon as possible. Save usernames, links, screenshots, messages, and dates, but do not engage with the suspected person unless the police advise otherwise.
Yes, and in many cases you should contact both, especially if the child needs immediate safeguarding support. The police handle possible crimes, while social services can assess the child’s welfare and arrange protection measures.
Say that you want to report child sexual abuse concerns to the police UK, explain whether the child is in immediate danger, and give the key facts in clear, simple language. If possible, state who is involved, what happened, when it happened, where it happened, and what makes you concerned.
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