What are the different types of crime?
There are many different types of crime, each one affects people differently. Lincolnshire Police’s Reporting and Advice Centre provides information and advice on some of the most common topics.
Support for victims of crime
Anybody that has been the victim of crime can get support, regardless of whether they have chosen to report it to the police or not. Victim Lincs is a service put in place by the PCC to provide support and information to anybody in Lincolnshire that has been the victim of crime.
For information and advice: www.victimlincs.co.uk
Download resources to share information about Victim Lincs in your community
Anti-social behaviour
Antisocial behaviour (ASB) is when your quality of life is negatively affected by the actions of other people in the community.
Experiencing ASB can be distressing. If the incidents are persistent and happen over a long period of time, this can have a significant impact upon your emotional health and wellbeing.
It depends upon the type of ASB as to who you need to report it to. The police have certain responsibilities, where as your council will have others. Find out more about how to report ASB on Lincolnshire Polices’ website.
Burglary
A burglary is when someone breaks into a building with the intention of stealing, hurting someone or committing unlawful damage.
There are steps you can take to increase the security of your home and deter criminals, such as installing alarms and making sure that doors and windows are secure.
Child abuse and exploitation
Child abuse can occur in many different ways. This can include physical, emotional and sexual abuse, as well as neglect.
Exploitation is a form of abuse in which the victim is taken advantage of, such as being given gifts in exchange for sexual gratification.
Criminal damage and arson
Criminal damage is when someone intentionally and maliciously damages your home, property or vehicles.
Arson is when someone deliberately sets fire to your home or belongings.
There are steps you can take to increase the security of your home and deter criminals, such as installing alarms and making sure that doors and windows are secure.
Cyber crime
In its simplest form, cyber crime is any offence which is committed through, or enabled by, the use of technology, whether or not the offence is predicated solely on the technological element or whether the technology merely assists the perpetrator in the commission of the offence.
Cyber security is important because smartphones, computers and the internet are now such a fundamental part of modern life. From online banking and shopping, to email and social media, it's more important than ever to stake steps that can prevent cyber criminals getting hold of our accounts, data, and devices.
Find out more about two to protect yourself online on Lincolnshire Police’s website
Domestic abuse
Domestic abuse is when somebody carries out controlling, threatening, degrading or violent behaviour towards a partner or family member.
Some people may not realise they are enduring domestic abuse, particularly if the abuse isn’t physical. In actual fact, domestic abuse can take many forms, including (but not limited to) the following:
- Physical abuse
This is when somebody physically hurts you. They might hit you or punch you. They might push you, kick you, choke you or use objects as weapons to hurt you. - Coercive and controlling behaviour
This behaviour is a way to exert control over you, taking away your independence and isolating you from support. It might include assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten you. - Financial abuse/economic abuse
This is an aspect of ‘coercive control’ and a way to limit and control your actions and freedom of choice. Somebody might be taking your money or controlling your finances. They might not be letting you work or might be running up debts in your name. - Sexual abuse
When someone pressures you or forces you to have sex (this is rape) or take part in sexual acts against your will.
There are a number of initiatives that aim to protect people from domestic abuse and support victims, including:
Ask for Ani
This codeword scheme allows those at risk or suffering from abuse to discreetly signal that they need help and access support. By asking for ANI (pronounced Annie) in a pharmacy such as Boots, a trained pharmacy worker will offer a private space where they can understand if the victim needs to speak to the police or would like help to access support services such as a national or local domestic abuse helplines.
Download resources about Ask For ANI to share in your community
Make A Change
‘Make A Change’ is a free programme in Lincolnshire for people who are concerned about the way they are treating their partner. The programme works with them and supports them to change to their behaviour.
Find out more about Make A Change
Silent Solutions
There may come a time when you need to call 999 but talking may put you or others in more danger.
If you are in danger and need the police, but can’t speak:
- Dial 999
- Listen to the questions from the 999 operator
- Respond by coughing or tapping the handset if you can
- If prompted, press 55. This lets the 999 operator know that it’s a genuine emergency and you’ll be put through to the police
Download resources to share information about Silent Solutions in your community
Watch and share Lincolnshire Police's video about Silent Solutions on YouTube
Hollie Guard App
Hollie Guard is a smartphone app that has been designed to turn your phone into a personal safety device. Shake or tap your phone to activate Hollie Guard - a high pitched alarm sounds and the flash starts to strobe to attract maximum attention.
When going on a journey, you can set a start and end destination before setting off. This will notify your emergency contacts once you arrive safety. An alert will be automatically triggered if you do not arrive at a destination within the parameters you have set.
Find out more about Hollie Guard and how to download the app
Download resources to share information about Hollie Guard app in your community
Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme
The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS), also called Clare’s Law, means you can ask if the police have any information about your partner or ex-partner that could mean you are at risk of domestic abuse.
If you are worried about someone else's relationship, you can ask on their behalf under this scheme.
DVDS enables a person who is/was in an intimate relationship with a previously violent or abusive individual to make informed choices about continuing in that relationship or about their personal safety if no longer in the relationship.
Find out more about DVDS and make a request on Lincolnshire Police's website
Drugs
The supply and possession of some drugs is illegal and punishable by law. Misuse of drugs can lead to health risks or even be fatal. It can also lead an individual into other forms of crime and cause harm and disruption in local communities through anti-social behaviour and even violence.
Elder abuse
Elder abuse is when somebody knowingly harms or puts a vulnerable older person at risk.
Elder abuse can happen at the hands of a care giver, relative, or anybody else who is in contact with a vulnerable adult.
There are five common types of abuse:
- Physical abuse
- Financial abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Psychological abuse
- Neglect
Fly-tipping and littering
Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of large items or waste on public roads, land or into rivers. This could include large household appliances like washing machines or discarded materials from construction sites.
General littering includes the dumping of household rubbish, either in plastic bags or as individual items. It also includes dog fouling in public places.
Find out how to report fly-tipping and littering to your local council
Fraud and scams
Fraud (also called scams) is when someone tricks or deceives you to gain something for themselves, usually money, goods, services or property.
To find out more about fraud and scams, and take the short online training, visit the Friends Against Scams website
Fraudsters usually try to make contact with you through four different channels:
- Telephone
Never talk about money on the telephone to unsolicited callers. Hang up the phone. If the caller claims to be genuine, wait ten minutes after you have hung up and check it out using contact numbers you can verify yourself (not the ones given to you by the caller). - Doorstep sellers and traders
If you’re not sure, don’t open the door. Doorstep sellers rely on you to engage with them. If you don’t open the door in the first place then you can’t be persuaded or pressurised to buy something you either don’t want or don’t need.
If they appear to be official, are you expecting them? If not, then check it out by calling the company or agency using a telephone number you can verify. If the person knocking on your door is genuine then they will wait for you to check them out. Remember, you can do all of this without opening your door at all. - Postal
If it sounds too good to be true, then it usually is. This is especially true if you are being asked to send money up front before you can release your promised winnings or inheritance. Whilst the amount of money paid up front may be quite small and initially easily affordable, engaging with one of these competitions may result in your details being shared amongst other scams or frauds. - Internet
Do not to click on any links from unsolicited emails and move them straight to your “spam” folder (where any malicious links are automatically disabled). Don’t allow anyone remote access to your computer from an unsolicited phone call. Where you can, use a two factor authentication for your online accounts.
When using online auction sites, never go out of the site rules for contact or purchasing with sellers. That way if things do go wrong, you have the site's protection to resolve the dispute.
Hare coursing
Hare coursing is an illegal bloodsport where dogs are used to chase, catch and kill hares. It tends to start after harvest when large areas of land have been cleared of standing crops and usually occurs at dawn or dusk.
Lincolnshire’s flat, rural landscape makes it a popular area for hare coursing. It often attracts coursers from outside of the county.
Hate crime
Hate crimes are acts of violence or hostility directed at you because of who you are or who someone thinks you are.
People may be targeted because of their:
- disability
- race and ethnicity
- religion and beliefs
- sexual orientation
- gender identity
Hate crimes can take many different forms, including (but not limited to):
- violence
- criminal damage
- harassment and intimidation
- sexual violence
No hate crime is acceptable. We all have a right to live without fear, hostility and intimidation from others because of who we are.
As well as the police, Hate crime can be reported to Stop Hate UK or True Vision.
Modern slavery and human trafficking
Modern Slavery is a form of exploitation. It is a serious and often hidden crime which can take many forms including forced labour, servitude and slavery.
Human Trafficking is the transportation, the recruiting or the harbouring of people for the purpose of exploitation, such as slavery.
There are different types of modern slavery, including:
- Sexual exploitation
- Domestic servitude
- Forced labour
- Other forms of exploitation
Unseen app
The Unseen app provides a simple guide to recognising the signs of modern slavery and reporting concerns in confidence.
‘Honour’-based abuse
So called ‘honour’ abuse is when a violent act and/or controlling behaviour is committed against you to protect or defend the ‘honour’ of a family and/or community.
This might include:
- Forced marriage - if you are being made to marry someone without your consent, this is force marriage. It is against the law and is a form of domestic abuse.
- Female genital mutilation (FGM) - this refers to procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons
- Domestic abuse
- Harassment
- Criminal damage or arson
- Sexual violence
- Kidnap
Rape and sexual assault
Also referred to as sexual abuse or sexual violence, it is when someone experiences unwanted sexual contact or behaviour without consent.
Hollie Guard app
Hollie Guard is a smartphone app that has been designed to turn your phone into a personal safety device. Shake or tap your phone to activate Hollie Guard - a high pitched alarm sounds and the flash starts to strobe to attract maximum attention.
When going on a journey, you can set a start and end destination before setting off. This will notify your emergency contacts once you arrive safety. An alert will be automatically triggered if you do not arrive at a destination within the parameters you have set.
Download resources to share information about Holli Guard app in your community
Revenge porn
Revenge porn is the term used when someone shares, or threatens to share private, sexual images or videos of another person without their consent. This is a criminal offence and those sharing these images without consent can be prosecuted.
Robbery
Robbery is when someone takes something from you with violence or threats – usually (but not always) in the street or another public place.
Rural crime
A rural crime is a crime that takes place in a rural location and includes:
- Farm/agricultural related crime: theft of/or damage to plant vehicles, equipment or livestock.
- Wildlife environmental related crime: animal cruelty, poaching, badger baiting, killing or taking of wild birds or damage of protected habitats.
- Heritage related crime: theft/damage or removal of articles from historic sites.
- Rural related crime: day to day community criminality, including violence, damage and theft.
Stalking
Stalking is when somebody is persistently acting in an obsessive and fixated way towards someone, disrupting their life.
Hollie Guard app
Hollie Guard is a smartphone app that has been designed to turn your phone into a personal safety device. Shake or tap your phone to activate Hollie Guard - a high pitched alarm sounds and the flash starts to strobe to attract maximum attention.
When going on a journey, you can set a start and end destination before setting off. This will notify your emergency contacts once you arrive safety. An alert will be automatically triggered if you do not arrive at a destination within the parameters you have set.
Download resources to share information about Holli Guard app in your community
Violent crime
Violent crime is when someone attempted to physically harm another person, whether the crime has resulted in a physical injury or not.