Devon and Cornwall are one of the safest areas in the UK
Crime can happen. This page provides advice on how to deal with any incidents and how to contact the police.
What if something happens?
If you are assaulted, followed or threatened go to a shop, a police station or any public building and ask for help. Ask somebody to contact the Police for you. Do not worry about language difficulties, the Police will find someone who speaks your language free of charge. If anything happens to you, do not keep it to yourself, tell your tutor, your host family or someone you can trust.
In an emergency you can dial 999 for the Police, Fire Service, Ambulance or Coastguard. 999 calls are free from any telephone. For non-emergency calls to Devon and Cornwall Police call 101.
Hate crime
If you think you have been a victim of a hate incident or crime, ask yourself the following questions:
- Have you been attacked or threatened with violence?
- Have you been called names or suffered any other verbal abuse?
- Have you been sent offensive letters, emails or text messages?
- Has your property been interfered with or damaged?
- Have you suffered any other form of hate motivated harassment?
If any of these things are or have been happening to you, please report it to the police. We can only deal with the problem with your help.
Online Crime
Some criminals may target you online or over the phone, for example by telephoning you and pretending to be from a legitimate organisation (such as the UK Home Office, an education agent and so forth).
They demand money and claim that if you do not pay them quickly, there will be damaging consequences.
The caller may appear to be genuine and convincing, either because they have some limited information about you (for example, your passport number, as well as your telephone number and name) or because they appear to be calling from a legitimate phone number.
If you receive such a call or a similar contact, don’t give the caller any personal information and do not confirm that any information they have is correct.
You should never give out your personal details to a caller as you cannot verify their identity.
If you do receive any such contact, please report this to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via their website.
Immobilise
Register your pocket electronics (phone, iPod, iPad) FOR FREE on immobilise.com. Then, when police officers stop and search suspected thieves, they can check the serial number on the immobilise database and track you as the owner so that you can be reunited with your property.