Why Reporting a Crime Matters

Witnessing a crime is distressing and sometimes even traumatic. Deciding what to do afterwards isn’t simple, but it’s important to understand why reporting a crime matters. There is no legal obligation to come forward, but there are a number of ways in which your information could help society.

Justice

Reporting crime can help bring justice to victims. Even if you aren’t a victim yourself or many people witnessed the incident, every testimony is helpful to ascertain events. Not only will this help to punish criminals, but can help right wrongs. Victims or their families can receive reparations or closure, which may not be possible without crucial information.

Morality

Most people feel that we have a moral duty to report crime – breaking the law is morally wrong and we owe it to society to act against it. Telling the truth to the right people isn’t always easy, but it’s the best way to help those affected. It’s common to feel guilt when you don’t come forward, but it can feel good to help other people achieve justice.

Deterrence

Bringing a crime to the attention of the police prevents further damage. When brought to justice, criminals are less likely to reoffend than if they weren’t caught. The more that perpetrators get away with, the more criminal action they are likely to do.

Even if you do not think a crime is particularly serious, many offenders commit multiple kinds of crime. Reporting may help prevent more severe incidents, intercepting a criminal before events can escalate. Seeing other people face consequences for a crime also acts as a deterrent to other potential criminals. In turn, this has a positive impact on their lives as it prevents them from committing more extreme crimes with more extreme consequences.

Accuracy

Accurate crime statistics are vital. Without knowing what crimes are happening, police can’t tailor their actions to the needs of the community. Outside of the police, crime figures help charities and politicians understand the issues impacting society.

Knowing that certain crimes are particularly prominent can help authorities find targets for preventative schemes and investments. People can be warned to stay vigilant and taught how to avoid falling victim to common crimes. This will help to protect vulnerable groups, including those demographically more likely to become offenders.

Community

Feeling safe is an important aspect of community life. Knowing that crime will be reported and acted on helps people to love where they live and feel a sense of belonging. This promotes a positive community environment, which can lead to improved quality of life for everyone.

Report a crime anonymously

If you have information about a crime, it’s important to come forward. You don’t have to give your identity with your report – Crime Stoppers Bermuda provides an online form and phone line for anonymous reporting. The information you give us is compiled into a report with any identifying details removed, before being passed to the police.

Call 800-8477 or use our online form.