How to appropriately report someone for a potential crime?

Posted by ideally1030@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 26 comments

I won't go into intimate details about how I know the person, but there is a woman claiming to have started making money buying defective/old boats and selling them to international people smugglers, putting lives at risk. I have her name, phone number, general location. Do I just call police and say "this might be happening but I don't have concrete evidence can you look into it?" - would attempting to call out this person on social media risk anything?

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Veenkoira00@reddit

People smugglers are seriously ruthless people. Don't mess with them or their business associates. Just a very carefullly worded and anonymous, but as detailed, report to the police.

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ideally1030@reddit (OP)

It's not right but part of me wants public vigilantism to take care of this. I'm just angry after reading today's articles on the drownings in the crossing.

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Sad-Nectarine-7855@reddit

I promise you on everything I hold dear. Do not put a target on you, your immediate family or friends. These people are happy to risk their freedom to smuggle people, they'll have zero issue risking it to silence you

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Neither_Process_7847@reddit

Whatever our feelings on the people being smuggled, I think we can all agree about the dreadfulness of the smugglers. As said, these are organised criminals- let the police deal with them.

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Icy_Attention3413@reddit

You literally reported on the Home Office tip line. Obviously, since it is the government, there is a website https://www.gov.uk/report-immigration-crime

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velos85@reddit

What’s the crime? There’s nothing illegal about selling boats.

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ARobertNotABob@reddit

Dial 101 for non-urgent Police

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ItsShaneMcE@reddit

If it’s sold as seen then ultimately it’s on the buyer. The person smuggling people is the problem not the person providing the defective boats

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ideally1030@reddit (OP)

Ironically this woman absolutely hates immigrants and there's an element of hoping that they sink. Says it would be a win if so many failed they stopped trying. I wouldn't know how thorough the people smugglers are with checking. My report also details that this is very much a no-tax earning for her.

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ItsShaneMcE@reddit

Is it immigrants she hates or illegal migration because there is a big distinction

I feel like it’s in the best interest of the smugglers to make sure the boats are fit for purpose given their lives are on the line if it sinks

Therefore the only thing she’s doing wrong is tax evasion. The smuggles are responsible for the condition of the boat once they take ownership. They’re not protected by consumer rights if it’s used for criminal activities

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Neither_Process_7847@reddit

The smugglers aren't the ones risking their lives on the boats - payment in advance, and money in the bank whether it floats or not.

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ideally1030@reddit (OP)

It's illegal immigrants, yes I should have made that distinction. It's an interesting point you make - but if the buyers are criminals is that not aiding..criminality? I suppose if I supply empty firesticks to people who then load them that would be similar analogy. But then even if I am very aware of what they will be used for I couldn't be charged with anything relating to providing "illegal" content?

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Skillerstyles@reddit

Just report it to the police and give them whatever info you have, even if it’s not concrete evidence. Definitely don’t post it on social media, that can backfire fast and it’s better to let authorities handle it.

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ideally1030@reddit (OP)

Is there a way to do this all anonymously? And will someone actually look into it?

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HappyThrasher99@reddit

Use online forms. Those offer the most anonymity because you arent calling from mobile or using SMS.

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geekroick@reddit

...you want to report it anonymously but you were considering posting about it on social media? 🤷

https://crimestoppers-uk.org/

No one can guarantee it will be looked into, same as any other report that goes to the police.

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ideally1030@reddit (OP)

Through a fake account of course, posting screenshots of conversations in fb groups. I didn't know how best to get this taken seriously.

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geekroick@reddit

Did you look at the link?

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ideally1030@reddit (OP)

Yes thank you. Sorry I was just explaining my thinking. It looks straightforward and apparently I can choose to see if anything came of the report which is nice. I wasn't aware this service existed.

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