Vic Police Reporting Crimes

Report

Different crimes and how to report them.

On this page

• Emergency reporting

• Non-emergency reporting options

• Communication assistance

• Applications and registrations

• Compliments and complaints

• Contact us

Non-emergency reporting options

Anonymous reporting - witnessed a crime, incident or suspicious activity

About anonymous reporting

If you have witnessed a crime or incident, you can anonymously report crime information to Crime Stoppers Victoria, including your knowledge about:

• drugs

• firearms

• high-risk drivers

• wanted persons

• suspicious activity

• other crime.

Share crime information with Crime Stoppers Victoria by:

• submitting an online report

• calling 1800 333 000.

Change or suppression (conversion) practices

About change or suppression (conversion) practices

A change or suppression (conversion) practice is a practice that intends to forcibly change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

For more information regarding discreet help and reporting, visit Report a change or suppression (conversion) practice.

How to report

If there is no immediate danger, contact your local police station to speak with a police officer.

Cold case information

About cold cases

Cold cases are unsolved investigations.

Take a look at our list of cold case stories to see if you recognise a name or face, and let us know if you have any information to report.

Regardless of how insignificant a piece of information may seem to you, coupled with other information, it may be that little piece that helps us solve a cold case.

Anyone with information about a cold case can:

• submit a confidential online report through the Crime Stoppers Victoria website, or call 1800 333 000

• contact your local police station to speak with a police officer.

Complaints about Victoria Police employees

About Victoria Police employee complaints

We take complaints and allegations of crimes committed by Victoria Police employees seriously.

Crimes you can report for investigation include:

• family violence

• sexual offences

• corruption

• misconduct

• improper conduct.

How to report

• visit our Reporting family violence or sexual offences perpetrated by a Victoria Police employee page for guidance and options

• visit our Complaints page to report a serious concern about Victoria Police employee corruption, misconduct or improper conduct.

Cybercrime, fraud, scams and online safety

About cybercrime, fraud, scams and online safety

Cybercrime is any type of crime that involves a computer, network, or online device. These crimes often target your identity and your money, as well as your personal online safety.

Fraud and scams can happen both in-person and online.

Typical cybercrimes, fraud and scams include:

• identity theft and misuse

• money and investment fraud or scams

• sextortion (sexual extortion) scams

• image based sexual offences

• device hacking, phishing and ransomware

• online bullying and harassment.

  Find out more about different cybercrimes, safety tips and reporting options at Cybercrime, fraud, scams and online safety.

How to report

To report the matter to police, visit ReportCyber.

For information on different cybercrimes, fraud and scams and how to report them visit the following pages:

• Report online abuse, cybercrimes, fraud and scams

• Money-based cybercrimes, fraud and online scam

• Identity-based cybercrimes, fraud and online scams

• Device security and risks

• Online safety

• Offline or in-person fraud and scams.

Elder abuse

About elder abuse

Elder abuse is any act by a trusted person or a family member causing harm to an older person. The victims often hide the abuse as they feel scared or ashamed.

The abuse can be:

• emotional or psychological

• financial

• social

• physical

• sexual

• neglect.

  These behaviours can be ongoing or a one-off.

How to report

If you know someone experiencing elder abuse, you can report it.

You can also report elder abuse by contacting your local police station.

You can report this at Crime Stoppers Victoria by selecting:

• 'Suspicious activity or other crime' followed by

• 'Elder abuse (including financial elder abuse)'.

Family violence

About family violence

Family violence is threatening or abusive behaviour between people in current or past family, domestic or intimate relationships.

The Family Violence Protection Act law defines family violence as behaviour by a family member that creates fear and control over:

• their partner

• ex-partner

• other family members.

How to report

If there is no immediate danger, contact your local police station to speak with a police officer.

For more information regarding discreet help and reporting, visit Report family violence.

Lost or located property

About lost property

Lost property is personal property that an owner unintentionally and involuntarily parts with.

When to report

Items that have a high and/or sentimental value and are identifiable can be reported.

We do not take lost property reports for items that are of low value or have no unique features.

What you need to report

Identification information is optional and if provided, may assist us in the further investigation of an event.

You need to provide sufficient detail to identify your property, including:

• unique or distinguishing features, colours, and/or markings

• make, model, and brand

• serial/ID numbers

• IMEI numbers for phones (your phone provider can give you this number if you don’t know it)

• the circumstances of how the item or items were lost.

How to report

To report personal property lost in Victoria:

• report lost property online

• call the Police Assistance Line (131 444)

  For information on what you can and can’t report online, read our lost property guidance.

  To report lost property that is not covered by our Police Assistance Line and Online Reporting service, contact your local police station.

  To report that you have located or found property, contact your local police station.

  To report a lost firearm, contact your local police station as soon as possible.

Missing persons

About missing persons

You do not have to wait 24 hours to report someone as missing. A person can be reported as missing at any time. There is no time limit or period to wait.

How to report

For information on how or when to report a missing person, including what information you will need to provide to police, visit our report a missing person page.

Missing registered sex offenders

About missing registered sex offenders

Offenders become registrable by being sentenced for sex offences against children.

How to report

If there is no immediate danger and you have information to report about a missing registered sex offender, visit our Reporting missing registered sex offenders page.

Prejudice motivated crime

About prejudice motivated crimes

Prejudice motivated crime is any crime motivated by prejudice, bias or hatred towards a person, or a group, due to the victim’s actual or perceived characteristic(s). These characteristics can include:

• religion

• race

• sex

• age

• disability

• sexual identity

• gender identity

• homelessness

• political activity.

  In addition, there may be offences under specific legislation.

How to report

• report property damage motivated by prejudice (including graffiti or vandalism) by submitting an online report

• report property damage motivated by prejudice by calling our Police Assistance Line on 131 444, or

• contact your local police station.

  For more information, visit our Prejudice motivated crime page.

Property damage

About property damage

Property damage can include damage to your home, business, car and personal possessions. It can also include vandalism and graffiti done without the owner’s permission.

What you need to report

Identification information is optional and if provided, may assist us in the further investigation of an event.

How to report

To report property damage, including graffiti or vandalism, when there is no immediate danger:

• report property damage online

• call the Police Assistance Line (131 444).

  To report property damage that is not covered by our Police Assistance Line and Online Reporting service, contact your local police station.

Sexual offences and child abuse

About sexual offences and child abuse

Sexual offences can refer to a broad range of sexual behaviours that make a person feel uncomfortable, frightened or threatened.

How to report

For more information, visit our Reporting sexual offences and child abuse page.

Stalking

About stalking

Stalking is a crime in Victoria and should be reported to the police to prevent the offender from committing a more serious crime. Stalking is defined as a series of behaviours through which someone imposes themselves into another person’s life in a way that causes distress, fear, and disruption.

Non-Family Violence (NFV) Stalking relates to stalking by a person who is:

• either unknown to the victim or is an acquaintance (friend of a friend, friend of a relative etc)

• a current or ex-colleague (work-related acquaintance)

• a neighbour

• or any person with which the victim has never had an intimate, personal relationship with.

  For reporting options related to issues with a with a family member, partner, or ex-partner, view the family violence menu above.

How to report

When there is no immediate danger, report stalking:

• directly to a police officer by contacting your local police station, or

• online through ReportCyber where the alleged stalking occurs mainly online.

  For more information about non-family violence stalking, visit our stalking page.

  For information about family violence, visit our family violence section.

Suspicious farm activity

About suspicious farm activity

Suspicious farm activity is unusual movements of stock or farm equipment by suspicious or unknown vehicles or people.

• submit an anonymous online report through the Crime Stoppers Victoria website, or call 1800 333 000.

  To locate your closest Farm Crime Liaison Officer, or for more information, visit our Farm and rural safety page.

Theft

What you need to report

Identification information is optional and if provided, may assist us in the further investigation of an event.

How to report

Your safety and the safety of those around you is more important than trying to prevent theft or burglary.

To report a theft when there is no immediate danger:

Unwanted sexual and anti-social behaviour on public transport

About unwanted sexual and anti-social behaviour

Unwanted sexual behaviour and anti-social behaviour is any form of unwelcome behaviour that makes you or others feel:

• uncomfortable

• frightened

• threatened.

  These behaviours can be physical or verbal, subtle or direct, ongoing or a one-off.

How to report

If there is no immediate danger, or you don't want to make a formal report, you can inform Victoria Police by texting STOPIT to 0499 455 455 from your mobile phone.

You can learn more about STOPIT on the Unwanted sexual and anti-social behaviour on public transport page.

Note: STOPIT is not monitored live.