Reporting an online incident to the police

A structured template to help you report an online safety incident to the police clearly, with the facts and evidence they will need.

When to use this templateUse when reporting an online incident to the police on 101 (or 999 in an emergency), or when giving a written account. It helps you set out the facts in order so nothing important is missed. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 first.

Tone guidance

Lead with facts, in date order. Keep interpretation and emotion brief.
Distinguish what you saw yourself from what your child told you ("my child says…").
Ask for a crime/incident reference number — you will need it for follow-up.

Template

Report of an online safety incident

My name is [YOUR NAME] and I am the parent/carer of [CHILD'S NAME], aged [AGE].

What has happened: [FACTUAL SUMMARY]

When: [DATE(S) AND TIME(S)]
Where (platform/app/game): [PLATFORM/APP]
Who (if known): [USERNAME / PROFILE / ANY REAL DETAILS]

Evidence I have preserved: [SCREENSHOTS / MESSAGES / URLS]. I have not deleted anything and can provide it securely on request.

Ongoing risk: [IS CONTACT CONTINUING?]

I would like this recorded and to be advised on next steps and any safeguarding referral. Please confirm a crime or incident reference number and a point of contact.

Fields to replace

[YOUR NAME — parent/carer of ...] — Your name and relationship to the child
[CHILD'S NAME, AGE] — Child's name and age
[FACTUAL SUMMARY] — What has happened · Plain facts, in order. What, who, where online.
[DATE(S) AND TIME(S)] — When it happened / was discovered
[PLATFORM/APP] — Platform, app, or game involved
[USERNAME / PROFILE / ANY REAL DETAILS] — Details of the other person (if known)
[SCREENSHOTS / MESSAGES / URLS] — Evidence you have kept
[IS CONTACT CONTINUING?] — Any ongoing risk

What to attach

•Screenshots of messages, profiles, and usernames, clearly dated where possible.
•A short timeline of events.
•Device details if the child's account or device is involved.

What not to include

Do not forward, attach, or share any sexual or indecent image of a child. Tell the police it exists and let them advise; also report to the IWF.
Do not contact or confront the other person yourself.
Do not delete messages or accounts before the police advise — preserve everything.

Last reviewed: 2026-07-13Next review: 2026-10-13

This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.