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Can I report a sexual offence if I am outside the area where it happened?
Yes. You do not need to be in the same town, city, or police area where the offence happened to make a report. You can contact the police from wherever you are in the UK.
If you are in a different part of the country, the police can still take your report and help you get the right support. They can also pass your case to the correct force if needed.
First steps to take
If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If you cannot speak safely, you can use the police silent solution by pressing 55 when prompted.
If you are safe, contact the police by calling 101 or by using the local force’s online reporting options. You can also go to any police station and ask to speak to an officer.
It can help to write down what happened while it is still fresh in your mind. Include dates, times, locations, names, messages, photos, or anything else that may be relevant.
Getting support before you report
You can ask for support before speaking to the police. In England and Wales, you can contact a sexual assault referral centre, often called a SARC, for specialist help and advice.
You may also want to speak to an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser, or ISVA, through a support service. They can explain the process and help you understand your options.
If you have been raped or sexually assaulted recently, try not to shower, change clothes, wash bedding, or delete messages before getting advice, if you feel able to avoid it. This may help preserve evidence.
What happens after you make a report?
The police should take your report seriously and record the details. They may ask where the offence happened, but being outside that area will not stop them from acting.
You may be asked to give an initial statement and to share any evidence you have. If another police force is responsible, your local force can usually arrange for the matter to be transferred or investigated jointly.
You should be kept updated about the next steps. If you feel unsure, ask for the contact details of the officer dealing with your case and for information about support services.
Your rights and practical help
You can report a sexual offence even if some time has passed. There is no requirement that you report immediately, although earlier reporting can sometimes help with evidence.
You can choose whether to have someone with you for support, such as a trusted friend, family member, or adviser. You can also ask for reasonable adjustments if you need them.
If you are worried about travelling to the area where it happened, tell the police. They may be able to take your statement where you are or arrange a video interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get to a safe place, seek urgent medical help if needed, and contact the police on 999 if there is immediate danger. If you are not in immediate danger, you can contact the police by 101 or report online, and tell them the offence happened outside your area so they can direct you to the correct force.
You can report to any police force in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland, and they should pass the report to the force covering the area where it happened. If you know the location, give as much detail as possible, including the town, street, venue, date, time, and any witness names.
Yes. You can report from wherever you are now, even if you have returned home or moved away. Tell the police where the offence happened and where you are now so they can arrange the right support and refer the case to the correct area.
Preserve any messages, photos, call logs, social media posts, clothing, tickets, receipts, travel records, and anything else linked to the incident. Avoid washing clothes or cleaning items if you think they may be needed as evidence, and keep notes of dates, times, and what happened while it is fresh in your memory.
Yes, if you need urgent treatment or think you may have been injured, pregnant, exposed to an STI, or need emergency contraception, seek medical care as soon as possible. You can still report to the police before or after medical treatment, and a sexual assault referral service may be able to support you.
You can ask about making an anonymous disclosure or using third-party reporting services, but a fully anonymous report may limit what police can investigate. If you want support without immediately giving your name, contact a sexual violence support service, a sexual assault referral centre, or the police to discuss options.
The police should take your account, assess immediate risks, and decide which force should investigate if the offence happened elsewhere. They may ask for further details, arrange a statement, offer safeguarding support, and refer you to specialist services such as a sexual assault referral centre or an independent sexual violence adviser.
There is no strict deadline to tell the police, but reporting sooner can help with evidence, witnesses, and medical care. Even if time has passed, you can still report, and the police can explain what options remain depending on when and where the offence happened.
This subject is about offences outside your local area in the UK, but if the offence happened abroad you can still contact the UK police for advice and support. They may not investigate the offence themselves, but they can signpost you to the correct authority, embassy, or specialist support service.
Not necessarily. The local police where you are can usually take the initial report and pass it on. If a statement or follow-up is needed, police may arrange remote contact, or the force responsible for the area where it happened may speak with you there or online.
Give your name and contact details if you are comfortable, the location where the offence happened, the date and time, what happened, who was involved, any injuries, any witnesses, and whether there are messages, CCTV, or other evidence. The more detail you can provide, the easier it is to direct the case correctly.
Yes. You can usually have a trusted person, advocate, or support worker with you when making a report or statement. If you need an interpreter, communication support, or accessibility adjustments, ask the police or support service as early as possible.
No. You can start with a brief report and give more detail later when you feel ready. If the offence happened outside your area, the police should still record the information and make arrangements for a fuller statement with the correct force or a specialist officer.
Police and support services should handle your report sensitively and share information only when necessary for the investigation, safeguarding, and legal process. They should explain who will see your information and what confidentiality limits apply, especially if there is a risk to you or others.
It is okay not to remember every detail, especially after a traumatic event. Tell the police what you do remember, mention any gaps, and note anything that may help later, such as places visited, people present, transport used, or messages sent around the time.
Yes, many police forces in the UK have online reporting options for sexual offences or general crime reporting. If the offence happened outside your area, include the location and ask for the report to be forwarded to the correct force if needed.
You may be offered a sexual assault referral centre, counselling, an independent sexual violence adviser, safeguarding support, and help with medical care and evidence collection. Ask the police, NHS, or a specialist charity about local services wherever you are now, not only where the offence happened.
You can tell the police you no longer want to continue, but they may still decide to investigate if there is a public protection issue or other evidence. If you are unsure, speak to the investigating officer or a specialist support service about your options before making a final decision.
Tell the police where the person is believed to live or work, if you know it, and provide any relevant addresses, workplaces, or travel patterns. The police can share information with the appropriate force and consider measures such as bail conditions, restraining orders, or safeguarding steps if needed.
A sexual violence support charity, sexual assault referral centre, independent sexual violence adviser, trusted friend, family member, or advocate can help you make the report. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; if not, you can ask a support service to help you plan the safest way to report.
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