How can I report a crime anonymously? Will I be taken seriously?

The long answer

To report a crime anonymously, you can call the Crime Stop hotline at 08600 10111. 

When you call this number, a Crime Stop call centre agent will answer the call and note the information you provide and provide you with a secret code number for future reference. 

The government newspaper Vuk’uzenzele has a helpful article written by Thabisile Dhlomo that explains how to report a crime anonymously. The article says the call centre is not able to trace your call or see the phone number you are calling from. This system follows the guidelines for anonymous crime reporting set out by Crime Stoppers International. 

The information received is sent to detectives who then investigate the crime. 

Vuk’uzenzele provides the following details of what to expect when calling Crime Stop: 

• The call centre agent will guide the caller through a set of questions to get as much information as possible from the caller.

• The call centre agent then allocates a unique code number to the caller. If the information is not helpful, the caller will be guided to obtain more information or will be informed why the information cannot be used. Usable information is linked to the code number allocated to the caller. 

• The caller is then asked to call the Crime Stop hotline again, within a specified time, to establish whether the information was positive or whether he or she qualifies for a reward, if a reward is wanted by the caller.

• The only way a call centre agent will discuss a case with a caller in future is if the code number provided by the caller is correct, and the caller correlates with the caller profile on record.

• The call centre agent will immediately terminate the call if he or she is not satisfied that the caller is the same person who made the initial call. This is a protective measure to ensure the security of crime investigations. 

• Crime Stop sends the information received to the relevant investigation unit to follow up on the information. The call centre agent then asks the investigation unit to give initial feedback within 24 hours and the outcome of the investigation as soon as possible.

So, to answer your question of whether reporting a crime anonymously will be taken seriously, it certainly does seem so.

Wishing you the best,
Athalie