Contacting the police

This week we have some phrases and advice for times when you might need to speak to the police.

If someone has taken something from you:

I've been robbed.

Someone has stolen my wallet.

My flat's been burgled.

Language note: people can be robbed, buildings can be burgled and items can be stolen.  People who steal things from other people's pockets are called pickpockets.

More dangerous situations:

I think there's an intruder in my house.

You might say this over the phone to the police if someone has broken into your house.  It is never a good idea to confront a burglar because you never know what they might do to you.  If you have a phone with you, use it.

Someone is following me.

I think I'm being followed.

Phoning:

The telephone number for the police is the same as for the ambulance, fire brigade and coastguard.  Dial 999 and the operator will ask you which service you require.  There is a big difference between this and the Polish system: this number is only for emergencies.  Reporting a badly parked car, for example, is not an emergency.  For less important cases, phone the local police station.  When you arrive in Britain make a note of it (you can find it printed in public telephone boxes).

If you are a witness:

I saw two people running out of the shop and into a car.

Someone has just been attacked in the street.

There's been a hit-and-run incident.  I've taken the number of the car.

A hit-and-run incident is when a driver hits someone and doesn't stop.  This sort of thing happens most often on zebra crossings and pelican crossings (pelican crossings are the ones with the red man and green man).  Don't forget that the rules of the road in Britain are very different from Poland.  The most important rule is that everyone drives on the left, so look the other way when you cross the road.  Also, you can't just walk out in front of a car and expect the driver to stop.  The only place where pedestrians have right of way over cars is on crossings.

Another important point to remember is that the British take drink-driving very seriously.  It is one of the most socially unacceptable crimes in the country.  Phone-driving is also a more serious offence so never use a mobile phone, under any circumstances, when you are driving.  Apart from anything else, it is just as dangerous as drink-driving.

Could I take your name and address, please.

Where were you when the incident happened?

What were you doing at the time of the incident?

Crimes are generally called incidents by the police.  Sometimes the word is used for the victim as well.

Would you be able to recognise the man if you saw him again?

I was just going into the post office when it happened.

One of them had a distinctive mark on his face.

I couldn't see.  He had something over his face.

He looked similar to the man in the picture, but not quite.

The police often use an identikit to get an idea of what a person looked like.  If you report a crime, they might show you a series of pictures of suspects, people they think might be the criminal.

One final point:

Crime in Britain has gone down in the last ten years except for violent street crime.  The most common type of attack in the street is by people stealing mobile phones, so be careful, especially if you have an expensive model.  Don't forget also that in the United Kingdom, pepper spray, butterfly knives, flick-knives, electric shock devices and all objects designed only for self-defence are illegal.  You are allowed to use force if someone attacks you, but carrying a weapon is forbidden.  If you carry one, you will be the one the police arrest, rather than the attacker.