Protecting your anonymity

You don’t have to give us your details when you report sensitive things to us. You can choose to remain anonymous.

If we think your or someone else’s life is in danger, or someone might be seriously injured, we will try to trace you.

How we trace 

If you’ve chosen to remain anonymous, we don’t know who you are or where you might be. We can ask for special permission to access information that may help us trace you. This might include details about your computer or mobile phone, for example.

Specialist officers and staff are responsible for tracing an individual. They work to a strict set of rules and will try to minimise any intrusion into your privacy. They’ll only find out the information they need to help keep you safe.

How we decide to trace 

The decision to trace someone is made by a senior police officer, who will take into account all the facts and carry out a risk assessment. They will make a record of their decision.

We will only try to trace you if the risk assessment shows there is a serious risk of harm.