Reporting and Handing Over Evidence
How to report digital evidence to the right authorities and support their investigation.
Who to report to
Report to your designated safeguarding lead first, who will coordinate further referrals. For suspected criminal activity (grooming, image-based sexual abuse, threats), the police should be contacted. For online child sexual exploitation, reports can be made directly to CEOP. Provide your documented evidence record when reporting — it significantly helps investigators. Do not attempt to contact the alleged perpetrator or investigate the incident yourself.
Key takeaway
Report to your safeguarding lead first, who coordinates onward referrals — never investigate or contact the alleged perpetrator yourself.
Supporting the investigation
After reporting, the investigating authority may request the device itself, your documentation, or additional context. Cooperate fully but continue to maintain the chain of evidence for anything still in your possession. If the device needs to be returned to the child or their family before the investigation is complete, discuss this with the investigating authority first. Your clear documentation from the outset will be invaluable throughout the process.
Key takeaway
Clear, contemporaneous documentation from the first moment of the incident is the single most helpful thing you can provide to investigators.