What is police intelligence?

Police intelligence is information the police receive or gather. It could be about drug dealing, suspicious behaviour, or someone driving under the influence.

Specialist officers review this information to assess any risks and decide if action is needed.

Even if something seems small or unimportant, it could be the missing piece that helps us catch a criminal or protect someone in your community.

That’s why we need people to share what they see or hear in their neighbourhoods or workplaces. Your information could make a real difference.

If you see or hear something that doesn’t feel right or causes concern, please tell us. Your information could help protect others or prevent a crime.

If you're unsure whether it should be reported as a crime, our online form can guide you. If a crime is happening right now or someone is in immediate danger, call 999.

When you share information with us, please include as much detail as possible:

• Your name and contact details (so we can follow up if needed)
• Names or nicknames of people involved
• Descriptions (e.g. height, hair colour, clothing, any noticeable features)
• Addresses or locations
• Vehicle details (including registration plates)
• Any photos or CCTV footage you have
• How you know this information (did you witness it or hear it from someone?)
• How many people know about it?
• Have you told anyone else?

Even small details can make a big difference.

The information you give us, along with your details is confidential. We have specialist officers who process the information that comes into us. Giving your details is helpful as our specialist officers can contact you if they need to.

But, if would like to stay anonymous, you can give information to independent charity, Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.

We know that when you tell us something you need to have the confidence that we will listen.

But sometimes the information you provide, on its own, isn’t enough for us to be able to do something right away. There are thresholds that we must meet before we can apply for a warrant or arrest someone.

Your information may alert us to something we didn’t know about, and we can begin to monitor the situation. Or it could verify other information we already have, enabling us to act.

But it’s important for us to manage your expectations when you tell us something, as you may not hear back from us.

We understand that this may seem like we’ve ignored your information or that it’s not useful. This isn't the case. We could be assessing the information or checking it with other information we have. We may be doing our own research like non-uniformed patrols or talking to the community.

We ask that this doesn’t put you off from telling us something. Your information could be the missing puzzle piece we have been looking for.