Report Crime Information
You can share your crime information with Crime Stoppers online or over the phone.
Unsure how to lodge a report? View our reporting guide below.
Call 000 immediately if the incident is life-threatening, needs immediate police attendance, a crime is happening now, or an offender is (or may be) still in the area.
To report non-urgent crimes and events.
To report crime information confidentially.
Note: Crime Stoppers is unable to offer emergency response services or assist victims of crime.
How it Works
You provide crime information to Crime Stoppers, either online or over the phone.
Our call-takers will take this information and
prepare a report.
If your report is about a criminal matter for police investigation, we then send this report through to the police for further investigation.
Keep your browsing history private
When you use our anonymous online form, you may want to ensure that your browsing activity and history, on your phone, tablet, laptop or PC are not stored.
If so, choose to use private browsing. Click or tap on the bold links below for details of how to access private browsing, whichever browser you use.
Google Chrome
You can use Incognito browsing on Google Chrome (PC, laptop, Android phones & tablets, iPhone, iPad).
Mozilla Firefox
Try launching a private window on Mozilla Firefox (PC or laptop).
Microsoft Edge
Start an InPrivate window on your Microsoft Edge (PC or laptop).
Safari - iPhone
Turn on private browsing in Safari (iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch).
Safari - Mac
Browse in private in Safari (iMac, MacBook).
If you’re using a different browser – for instance UC Browser or Opera – whichever one it is, just look for the keywords ‘Incognito’ or ‘Private’ on any of their options to launch a new private window.
FAQ
Making a report?
What helpful information can I share with Crime Stoppers?
While you are in control of how much or little you tell us, some information such as the below is extra helpful:
Who (Person)
Do you know the names, ages and addresses of the individuals involved?
What do they look like? Can you comment on their nationality, age, build, hair style/length/colour, height, and whether they have any facial hair, tattoos or piercings? What clothes were they wearing, and were they carrying anything with them? If speaking, were they speaking with an accent or in a foreign language?
Who (Transport)
Do you remember any details about the type of transport being used? Was it a car, bicycle, motorbike, or form of public transport? Can you comment on the colour, vehicle registration number, make and model, and any other distinctive features such as roof racks, damage, or modifications?
What
Please describe the activity you saw or overheard. What made this activity suspicious to you (trust your instincts)?
When
What day and approximate time did this suspicious or illegal activity take place?
Where
What location did this occur at? Was it in a house, park, office, school, factory, farm, on the train, in an Uber or taxi?
How
Do you have information about the activity? How it was or will be carried out?
While every piece of information provided helps police to take action, you are never expected to put yourself at risk to get these details. Your safety always comes first.
Do I have to say who I am?
No! Anonymity is extremely important to us. Crime Stoppers Victoria wants to know what you know, not who you are.
People have many different reasons for not sharing their identity. Sometimes they are worried about getting in trouble with the people they are sharing information about. Sometimes people don't want to get involved in further investigations and possible court action.
Sometimes an anonymous report will solve a case or add new information to an unsolved case to verify information police already have. Anonymous tips add a piece to the puzzle for a safer community.
Every tip counts! Anonymous or not.
What if I am not 100% sure of my information?
If you think your information could be helpful, Crime Stoppers wants to hear it.
If you are 10% confident or 100% confident, we are experienced with all kinds of information.
What if I am wasting your time with my information?
Whether you remember all of the details, or just a handful, if you think your information could be helpful, Crime Stoppers wants to hear it. This is what we do, so you are not wasting our time.
Some tips might be useful immediately, others will form part of Victoria Police's intelligence holdings that may be used in future investigations. Every report helps to create a safer Victoria.
I have information on something that occurred years ago, is it still worth sharing?
There is no expiry date on reports to Crime Stoppers. If you have seen, heard, or know something suspicious, we want to hear from you. Your information could be the missing piece of the puzzle.
Can I submit photos and videos?
Yes, you can submit photos and videos. Online reports can accept up to four images per report. If you have any additional images you would like to share, please remember your reference number from your first report and submit a second report.
If you choose to remain anonymous, the metadata is stripped from these files. The content of the file will be supplied to investigators in its original and unedited format.
Does Crime Stoppers record calls or store IP addresses for online reports?
Calls to Crime Stoppers are not recorded and Crime Stoppers does not store IP addresses.
Can Crime Stoppers access the metadata in the images I upload to the website?
You decide. If you choose to remain anonymous all metadata is stripped from images or videos you upload.
I'm a victim of crime, can I report to Crime Stoppers?
No, if you require immediate assistance please dial 000 for emergency services. If you require non-urgent police assistance please contact the Police Assistance Line and online reporting service on 131 444 or here, or call your local police station here. If you have information on a crime, call Crime Stoppers confidentially on 1800 333 000 or submit an online report here.
The Victims of Crime Helpline, operated by the Victorian Government, helps people in Victoria manage the effects of violent crime. Victims can receive free information and support to help them manage the effects of crime and guide them through the legal process. Call or text the Victims of Crime Helpline to:
- Get advice about reporting a crime
- find other services that can help you
- get information about your rights
- get information about how courts work
- get help applying for compensation and financial assistance.
Open: 8am-11pm, 7 days a week
Call the Victims of Crime Helpline on: 1800 819 817
Text: 0427 767 891
Website: victimsofcrime.vic.gov.au
Police connection?
Is Crime Stoppers Victoria part of the Police or the Government?
No. We work closely with Victoria Police and the Government, but we are a separate not-for-profit organisation.
What happens next?
What does Crime Stoppers do with this information?
When a tip is provided Crime Stoppers prepares a report for Victoria Police investigators.
If the person making the tip has chosen to identify themselves and/or offer further assistance to investigators, police have to request these details from Crime Stoppers, these details are not passed on with the tip.
No other identifying details such as Caller ID or IP addresses are stored by Crime Stoppers.
How will I know if something has happened with my information?
You probably won't know if something has happened with your report.
As confidentiality is a key part of Crime Stoppers' success we take it very seriously.
We can't contact you to let you know what is happening, and we don't hear back from Victoria Police on individual investigations as these are also confidential.
We do share the successes of Victoria Police arrests and drug/property/cash seized, but we don't go into detail.
Tips to Crime Stoppers have resulted in amazing successes that keep our community safer, but you will have to trust us on this one.
Do Crime Stoppers Victoria send text messages?
Crime Stoppers Victoria do not text individuals. If you receive a text message from our number, 1800 333 000, this a scam. Please do not reply or click on any links.
I have chosen to supply my contact details. Do the police automatically receive these?
If you have chosen to identify yourself and/or offer further assistance to investigators, police will have to request these details from Crime Stoppers. These details are not automatically passed on with the report.
Who should I be telling my information to?
Make a complaint about State or Territory police
Contact your local police to find out who investigates complaints in your State or Territory. Each State or Territory has a different agency responsible for investigating police complaints and allegations of corruption. If your complaint is about a Victoria Police member, read about the process here.
Report Racism, Sexual Harassment or Discrimination
Submit a report, or lodge a formal complaint at the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission website.
Report Centrelink or Medicare fraud
Call the Australian Government Services Fraud Tip-off line 131 524 or report it to Centrelink or Medicare via the Services Australia website.
Cybercrime (including online fraud, such as eBay, and internet scams)
Report cybercrime to the Australian Signals Directorate 'Report Cyber'.
Offensive content on the internet
Report it to the Australian Communication and Media Authority.
Stop spam emails
There are steps you can take to reduce or stop spam.
If you think someone has broken the spam rules, you can complain or report spam to ACMA.
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Support
What happens if I call Crime Stoppers but don't speak English?
Our call centre operator will connect you through to the Australian Government’s Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS). You will be connected to an interpreter and then to Crime Stoppers Victoria.
What is the Translating and Interpreting Service?
The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) provides interpreting services to people who do not speak English and to organisations that need to communicate with their non-English speaking clients.
TIS National has:
- more than 50 years' experience in language services
- access to more than 3000 contracted interpreters across Australia
- access to interpreters speaking more than 160 languages.
Learn more TIS National at https://www.tisnational.gov.au/en/About-TIS-National
When can I use the Interpreting Service?
Telephone interpreting is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Do I have to provide my name and details when contacting TIS?
No. You will just need to supply the Crime Stoppers phone number (1800 333 000).
What language can I submit an online report in?
Crime Stoppers Victoria currently offer online reporting in the following languages:
- Arabic
- Dinka
- English
- Farsi
- Greek
- Hindi
- Punjabi
- Simplified Chinese
- Somali
- Spanish
- Vietnamese
