Skip navigation
Use space to open navigation items
City of Wollongong
Resident Visitor Business

How to Report Crime or Suspicious Activity


If you are in immediate danger or someone's life is at risk, call 000

There are lots of ways to report crimes, suspicious activity or people that have made you feel unsafe. Depending on why and how you report, these reports go to a relevant organisation such as NSW Police, or Crimestoppers.

You can:

  • Report online, on the phone or in person
  • Choose to remain completely anonymous
  • Make a report as a record only, which means no further police investigation
  • Ask for an interpreter

Why reporting is important

  • Information may lead to identifying or catching people involved in criminal behaviours such as theft, robberies and assault.
  • Information received can be used to identify ‘crime hotspots’, or trends and patterns so Police can allocate resources at appropriate times and places.
  • Reporting can help to contribute to a safer community.
  • Reporting can stop the crime happening again to someone else.

How to report a crime

Click an option below to see more information.

If you are in immediate danger, an emergency or reporting a crime that is in progress, call triple 000 and ask for Police.

A minor crime or non-urgent incident is usually something that has already happened, or that does not need the Police to attend immediately. For example, lost property, theft or minor traffic accidents.

These are the ways you can report minor crime or non-urgent incidents:

  • Complete the online form through NSW Police Community Portal
  • Call the Police Assistance Line (PAL) 131 444
  • Visit your local police station in person.

Please note, you need to provide your personal contact details and will be given an Event Number.

If you would like to report any suspicious activity, behaviour or an incident that has occurred:

This can be completely anonymous; you do not have to provide any of your personal information such as your name or contact details.

You can also visit the Crime Stoppers How it works page to learn more about this service.

If you’ve been sexually assaulted, you can report to the Police for an investigation, or as a report only with no further action. You can find out more about the options by looking at the Reporting Options for Victims page on the NSW Police Force website.

If you don't want an investigation and don't want to speak to a police officer, you can use the Sexual Assault Reporting Option (SARO) online reporting tool. This can be completely anonymous.

More information

LinkInformation
Crimestoppers - How it worksLearn about Australia's most trusted information receiving service for people wanting to share what they know about unsolved crimes and suspicious activity.
NSW Police Community PortalAn online portal to report crime and incidents to Police.
How to Report a Crime  PDF, 239.58 KBA Police fact sheet about different reporting options.
NSW Police ResourcesFact sheets and videos about a range of issues.