Enquiries and advice

There will be times when you want to contact us for reasons other than to report a crime.

Perhaps you have information about a crime that will help with our investigation or need reminding what time one of our officers is due to visit you.

You’ll find details of how to contact us for specific reasons such as to request recruitment information or to make a complaint throughout the website but if you want to make a routine enquiry you can contact us in four ways:

1. On our non-emergency number 101 or alternatively 01245 491491

2. In person at your local police station or to your Neighbourhood Constable

3. Use our non-emergency text messaging service

4. Use our minicom service

You can also give information about a crime by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Non-emergency number

101 is the Essex Police non-emergency number is available 24 hours a day seven days a week.

Calls made from anywhere across the county are connected to a switchboard at Essex Police and then directed to the most appropriate person, department or station.

In an emergency, always dial 999.

As an alternative to 101, you can also call us for non-emergency enquiries on 01245 491491.

Calls made to 101 will cost 15 pence for the entire call no matter how long the call or what time of day it is. This applies to both landline and mobile phones. Calls to 101 are not currently included as part of inclusive minute or discount packages.

Calls made to 01245 491491 are charged at the normal local and national rate. Many people have inclusive call packages which include local and national STD calls either during the evenings and at weekends or at all times. +44 1245 491491 can be used for non-UK callers.

In person

If you would prefer to report a crime in person you can do so at your local police station or to your Neighbourhood Constable.

Non-emergency text messaging service

If you have information about a crime or need advice you can send us a text message on.

When we receive your message you’ll be sent a response. Please be aware that if you do not get a message from us, we have not received your text and you may need to send it again.

This service should not be used for reporting emergencies and does not accept video or picture messages.

Text messages will be charged at the standard network rates applied by your phone provider.

Minicom Service

The minicom service is a telephone typewriter device that allows people certified deaf or with hearing or speech problems to contact us.

To access minicom please dial 01245 452828.

Not sure who you need to call?

There are times when you won’t need to contact the police at all. For example, you’ve got a leaking pipe and need someone to fix it or you’ve found a stray dog and don’t know where to go for help.

If you have a problem and are not sure who you need to speak to about it, our Who has responsibility for that? leaflet may help.

It contains contact details for more than 40 services from who can help with an abandoned animal to how to report a faulty street light.