Staffordshire Police: Understanding Suspicious Incidents
- Sep 16
- 2 min read
From Staffordshire Police:
What is a Suspicious Incident?
A suspicious incident is anything that seems unusual, out of place, or gives you reason to feel something isn't quite right — especially when it could relate to criminal activity.
Some examples include:
People peering into cars, windows, or trying door handles.
Vehicles repeatedly seen in the same area without clear reason.
Unfamiliar visitors or doorstep callers asking unusual questions.
Importantly, a suspicious incident does not necessarily mean a crime has been committed — but it’s still worth reporting. Your information could help us build a picture and possibly prevent crime before it happens.
How to Report a Suspicious Incident
You can report something suspicious in the following ways:
999 – If it’s an emergency or a crime is in progress.
101 – For non-emergency concerns that still need attention.
Online – www.staffordshire.police.uk
Crimestoppers – Anonymous reports via 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Please try to include:
A clear description of what you saw.
Time, date, and location.
Details of anyone or any vehicles involved.
What Will the Police Do With This Information?
We fully understand that when you report something, you may expect to see immediate action. While all reports are taken seriously, what we can do next depends on the information available and whether there’s evidence of a crime or threat.
Here’s what happens:
Reports are assessed by trained staff to determine if immediate action is needed.
Officers may be deployed where appropriate.
Information is logged and used to identify patterns or ongoing issues.
If required, we may share intelligence with local policing teams or partner agencies.
We always aim to use police powers lawfully and proportionately, based on the situation and available evidence.
We know it can be frustrating when the outcome doesn’t match expectations. However, policing must be guided by law — we cannot take certain actions without legal grounds, even if something appears suspicious.
We share SmartAlerts like this to keep you informed, aware, and involved in local safety. We recognise that public reactions can vary — but we want to reassure you that our intentions are always to work with communities, not against them. Adrian Waters (Staffordshire Police, PCSO, Staffordshire Moorlands)
Staffordshire Police: Understanding Suspicious Incidents- created 16.9.25
