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Q1096: How can I / my solicitor / insurance agent obtain a copy of a collision report following a road traffic collision?

Answer

Not all collisions require a police officer to complete a collision report.

In some instances a collision report will not be released until the police file has been finalised.

If you are a solicitor or an insurance agent, you can apply on behalf of your client for a copy of any existing collision reports the police have.

People can also apply for collision reports or request details of third parties involved in a collision if they are representing themselves in civil proceedings.

Information on how to make a request and details regarding costs can be found on local police force websites. See the link in Related Information for force contact details.

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Answer

101 is the non-emergency contact number for any police force in England and Wales and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Using this number reduces pressure on the 999 system, allowing the police to prioritise emergency calls. You should call 101 if you want to talk to your local police officer, get crime prevention advice, or report a crime that does not need an emergency response, for example:

  • your car has been stolen
  • your property has been damaged
  • you suspect drug use or dealing
  • you want to report a minor traffic accident
  • you want to give the police information about crime in your area

Alternatively, if you would prefer to contact your local police force online, please see the following question:

Q727 (Do you have contact details for all the police forces in England and Wales?). This question provides a list of all of the police forces in England and Wales and their respective online contact forms.

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Answer

101 is the number the public should use in situations that do not require an immediate police response. This service can be used to report any non-emergency crimes such as reporting untaxed/stolen vehicles and drug dealing as some examples.

When you call 101, you will be greeted by an automated system that will automatically identify your location and offer you the option of being connected to your local police force. If you would like a different force you will be given to option to speak to an operator to select your chosen area. Your call will be answered by police call handlers in the control room of that local police force.

It is a national service and is available throughout the UK.

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When you call 101, you'll hear a recorded message announcing that you're being connected to your local police service centre. The system will determine your location and connect you to a call handler in the service centre for your local area. This ensures staff with local knowledge answer and deal with your call in a way that best meets your needs and the needs of your community.

If you are calling from the boundary between Scotland and England then you may be offered a choice of force to be connected to. If the system cannot locate where you are calling from, then you'll be connected by the operator to the appropriate service centre, where the call will be handled in the normal manner.

Calls to 101 will be prioritised in the same way as calls to existing non-emergency numbers.

Some forces have online chat services for 101, please see the link in Related Information to find the contact details for your individual force area to see if they provide this service.
Remember to call 999 to report emergencies, if you are reporting a crime that is in progress or if someone is in immediate danger.
 

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If you are deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or speech-impaired then you can access the service via TextRelay on 1 800 1 101.
 
You can now also register your phone to be able to text the emergency services. Please see the link in Related Information to Relay UK for more information on how to set up your phone for this service. 
 
Certain police forces offer a service facilitated by SignVideo, enabling those who use British Sign Language to report non-urgent crimes. Users can access this service by visiting the force's website or by downloading the SignVideo app. Please see Related Information for further details. 

Some forces have online chat services for 101, please see the link in Related Information to find the contact details for your individual force area to see if they provide this service.
 

 

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Service centre operators have access to professional interpreters who can quickly translate if you cannot speak, or have difficulty speaking, English.

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Question

Q1096: How can I / my solicitor / insurance agent obtain a copy of a collision report following a road traffic collision?

Answer

Not all collisions require a police officer to complete a collision report.

In some instances a collision report will not be released until the police file has been finalised.

If you are a solicitor or an insurance agent, you can apply on behalf of your client for a copy of any existing collision reports the police have.

People can also apply for collision reports or request details of third parties involved in a collision if they are representing themselves in civil proceedings.

Information on how to make a request and details regarding costs can be found on local police force websites. See the link in Related Information for force contact details.
 
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