Community & safety
Policing & community safety in London
Know which number to call, how to report a crime, and who is responsible for keeping the capital safe — from the two police forces on the ground to the Mayor's office that holds them to account.
Ref · LDN-POLICE · Updated 2026-07-19
Policing in Greater London is delivered by two territorial forces and overseen by City Hall. Knowing where to turn — and how urgent your situation is — gets you the right help faster. This page sets out the emergency and non-emergency routes, how to report a crime online, and the roles of the Metropolitan Police, the City of London Police, the Mayor's Office for Policing And Crime, and Crimestoppers.
999 or 101 — which number?
The difference is simple: 999 is for emergencies and 101 is for everything else. Dial 999 when a crime is happening right now, when someone is in immediate danger, when there is a threat to life, or when a suspect is still at the scene or nearby. If you cannot speak safely, call 999 and, when prompted, press 55 on a mobile to be connected to the police silently.
Call 101 for a non-emergency: to report a crime that has already happened and where the offender has gone, to pass on information about crime in your area, or to speak to your local officers. Both numbers are free from any phone. If you are deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment, you can use the emergencySMS text service after registering your phone in advance.
In an emergency, always dial 999
If a crime is in progress, someone is hurt or in danger, or a suspect is nearby, call 999 straight away. Do not use the online form or 101 for anything urgent.
Report a crime online
For non-urgent matters you can report a crime, a road traffic collision, or lost and stolen property to the Metropolitan Police through its online reporting service. It walks you through the details and gives you a reference number for any follow-up or insurance claim.
- What happened, and when and where it happened
- A description of anyone involved and any vehicles
- Details of any injuries, witnesses or CCTV
- An email address so the police can send a crime reference
Who polices London
The Metropolitan Police Service (the Met) covers 32 of the 33 London authorities — everywhere except the historic square mile. It is one of the largest police forces in the world and runs local neighbourhood teams in every borough. The City of London Police is the separate force for the City of London, the small financial district at the capital's centre, and leads nationally on fraud and economic crime. Britain's railways and the London Underground are policed by the British Transport Police.
The Mayor's role — MOPAC
The Mayor of London is responsible for holding the Metropolitan Police to account on behalf of Londoners. This is done through the Mayor's Office for Policing And Crime (MOPAC). MOPAC sets the priorities in the Police and Crime Plan, oversees the policing budget, publishes performance data, and commissions services for victims and for tackling violence. It is the democratic link between the public and the force.
Give information anonymously
If you know something about a crime but do not want to speak to the police directly, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. It is open 24/7 and completely anonymous.
Note: This portal links to the official police and City Hall services. government.london is an information page — it does not take crime reports or handle emergencies.
Common questions
When should I call 999 and when should I call 101?
Call 999 when a crime is happening now, when someone is in immediate danger, or when an offender is still nearby. Call 101 for non-emergencies — reporting a crime after it has happened, giving information about local crime, or contacting your local officers. Both numbers are free.
How do I report a crime online in London?
Use the Metropolitan Police online reporting service to report a crime, a road traffic incident, or lost and stolen property. If a crime is in progress or there is a threat to life, always dial 999 instead.
Who polices London?
Most of Greater London is policed by the Metropolitan Police Service. The City of London — the historic square mile — has its own separate force, the City of London Police. British Transport Police covers the railways and the Underground.
What is MOPAC?
The Mayor's Office for Policing And Crime (MOPAC) is the body through which the Mayor of London holds the Metropolitan Police to account, sets policing priorities in the Police and Crime Plan, and oversees the policing budget for the capital.
How can I give information about a crime anonymously?
Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. It is an independent charity, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and it is completely anonymous — you are never asked for your name and calls are not traced.
This is an information page. Crime reports and emergencies are handled by the police on their official services.
Report a crime to the Met →Key numbers
Save these before you need them. All are free to call.
Where to go next
Official policing and safety services for London.