🚔 Crime Reference Number UK: Get, Check & Verify Your CRN
Sunday, 02 August 2026
If you've reported a crime to the police in the UK, you'll usually be given a crime reference number (CRN). It's the unique ID the police use to track your case — and you'll need it for insurance claims, bank disputes, and chasing progress.
⚡ Quick answer — how to check a crime reference number: You can't look up a CRN on a national database. Crime reports are held by individual police forces, so call 101 and quote the number, use your local force's online enquiry form, or check the email receipt you got when you reported. For Action Fraud, use their portal or call 0300 123 2040.
What to do next (60-second version)
🚨 Just been scammed or need to report fraud?
- Report to Action Fraud — actionfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040 — they issue a crime reference number your bank and insurer will ask for
- Lost money to a scammer? → How to get your money back after a scam
- Not sure where to start? → What to do if you've been scammed (step-by-step)
- Need urgent help now? → Get help now
- Bank called you about 'fraud'? → Spot the fake bank-call scam before you share codes
This guide covers everything: what a CRN is, how to get one, what it looks like, how to check it online, and how to verify one is genuine before sharing it.
What is a crime reference number?
A crime reference number is a unique identifier the police attach to your report. Every crime report — whether made by phone, online, or in person — gets one.
You'll need it for:
- Insurance claims — most insurers won't process a theft or fraud claim without one
- Bank disputes — when reporting fraud to your bank, they'll ask for it
- Tracking your case — quoting it lets police find your report instantly
- Action Fraud cases — online fraud reports get an Action Fraud reference instead
Important: a crime reference number is not proof of a conviction — it's proof that a report exists.
How to get a crime reference number
You get a CRN when your report is logged by the police. The exact number depends on how you reported:
| How you reported | What you get |
|---|---|
| 101 (non-emergency) | A CRN given over the phone, usually immediately |
| 999 (emergency) | A CRN, often after the initial incident is handled |
| Online reporting form | A CRN shown on screen + emailed to you |
| In person at a station | A CRN on your paperwork / receipt |
| Action Fraud (fraud/cybercrime) | An Action Fraud reference number instead |
What does a crime reference number look like?
UK crime reference numbers are typically a combination of letters and numbers. There is no single national format — each police force uses its own system — but they usually look like one of these:
CRI/12345/26123456789(numeric)AB123456/26
The /26 (or /24, /25…) suffix is the year the crime was reported.
Can you get a crime reference number online?
Yes. If the crime is not an emergency, most UK police forces let you report online — and you'll get your CRN immediately on screen and by email.
How to report online:
- Go to your local police force's website (or police.uk to find them)
- Find "Report a crime online" or "Report an incident"
- Complete the form — include dates, times, and any reference numbers you have
- Submit — you'll get a crime reference number straight away
What can't be reported online? Emergencies (call 999), crimes in progress, and some sensitive offences. If you're unsure, call 101.
How to check a crime reference number online
You can't check a CRN on a national database — crime reports are held by individual police forces. To check yours:
- Call 101 and quote your CRN — the operator can confirm the status of the report
- Contact your local force online — many forces have enquiry forms where you can quote your CRN and ask for an update
- Check your email — forces that take online reports email you a receipt containing the CRN
- Ask at your local station — bring ID and your CRN
If you're checking an Action Fraud reference, use the Action Fraud portal or call 0300 123 2040.
What if you don't have a crime reference number?
If you reported a crime but never received a CRN:
- Call 101 — they can look up your report using your name, address, and the date of the incident
- Check your email/spam folder — online reports email the CRN; it sometimes lands in spam
- Contact the force's enquiry desk — they can locate the report and issue the number
If the police didn't take a report (e.g. you were told it wasn't a police matter), ask for that decision in writing — it matters for insurance and civil claims.
Crime reference number vs Action Fraud reference
| Crime Reference Number | Action Fraud Reference | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Your local police force | Action Fraud (national fraud reporting) |
| Used for | All crime types | Fraud and cybercrime only |
| Format | Force-specific (letters/numbers) | Starts with NFRC or is a long number |
| Check via | 101 / local force | Action Fraud portal / 0300 123 2040 |
What to do if you've been a victim
- Emergency / crime in progress → call 999
- Non-emergency → call 101 or report online
- Fraud or cybercrime → report to Action Fraud (0300 123 2040)
- Keep your CRN safe — screenshot the confirmation and note the date you reported
Need more help?
- Report a crime to the police — our step-by-step guide
- What to do if you've been scammed
- How to get your money back after a scam
- Report a crime anonymously in the UK
- What happens after you report a crime
- Scam protection in Wembley & Brent — local help and reporting for Brent residents
- Scam protection in London — report, recover and stay safe in the capital
Related guides
- Bank transfer scam victim — what to do — step-by-step recovery after paying a scammer by bank transfer
- I gave my bank details to a scammer — what to do first, how scammers use your details, credit file checks
- Paid a scammer via PayPal Friends & Family — how to fight for your money back when buyer protection doesn't apply
- Someone called pretending to be my bank — how to verify the call and what to do if you shared details
- Police 101 numbers by area — the non-emergency number for every UK police force
- TV Licence scam emails — how to spot fake TV Licensing emails and texts
CyberAware UK — helping families report crime, recover from scams, and stay safe online.