A new victim-focused online domestic violence reporting platform has been revealed

New victim-focused options for reporting domestic violence and fraud have been added to the PSNI online reporting platform, complementing existing pathways for reporting crime, anti-social behavior and road traffic collisions.

Deputy Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the individual option to report domestic violence online, or allowing a person to report violence on someone else’s behalf, provided an alternative to calling.

ACC Henderson continued: “Domestic violence is a particularly horrific type of crime. It can affect anyone, often leaving them feeling isolated and lonely.

“It is an indisputable fact that we respond to an incident of domestic violence on average every 17 minutes. Every incident involves someone who needs help.

“For victims to pick up the phone, tell us what they are suffering and ask for help, it takes enormous courage and bravery. It is often difficult to find a safe place and time for this. Crises should always be reported by dialing 999, but you still have the option of calling 101 as the option of reporting online in person or having someone else report on your behalf is an alternative to calling.

It will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete the domestic violence report form. Reporters are asked to make sure they can safely take the time to complete it. If necessary, there is a “leave this site” button that closes the site and opens Google Search, so the form will not be saved and sent to the police. Police are appealing to anyone who is worried that someone may have seen their online history to clear it as soon as possible. The report requires contact details and preferred contact method, details about the incident and the person who caused the harm. The police will respond within the time and manner requested by the reporting person. A confirmation email will not be sent, as is the case with all other reports made to the PSNI, as this could pose a security risk. An online report will be dealt with in the same way as any other report regarding domestic violence.

Assistant Chief Constable Henderson added: “We also hope that this tailored online option will increase the reporting of this dangerous and terrifying type of crime. As police we are here to help and we will do everything we can to support victims of domestic violence.”

Suspected scams and scams can now also be reported online. Fraud offenses are frequently reported to the police, and in the 13 months from December 2022 to January 15, 2024, 5,412 cases of fraud were reported to the Police Service of Northern Ireland, resulting in reported total losses of approximately £23.1 million.

Investigating fraud offenses is difficult because many of those responsible are from outside Northern Ireland and therefore outside the jurisdiction of the PSNI. With this tailored online option, reporters will know within minutes whether their report will be investigated by the police or whether they will be referred to Action Fraud.

Reports can be made online at www.psni.police.uk/report, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can still call the police to report a non-emergency incident on 101 and in an emergency always dial 999.