When do I call the police?

Of course, if your home has been burgled or someone is threatening you, you call the officers in blue immediately. But there are situations where the situation is not quite so clear ... The 110 receives 150 calls per hour. But sometimes it makes more sense to contact the local police station - or to resolve the matter yourself. So when do I call the police? We'll tell you here.

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via Sabrina
06/13/2016, 10:59
Nicht in jeder Situation ist klar, ob die Polizei gerufen werden sollte.© picture alliance
It is not always clear whether the police should be called in every situation.

When do I dial 110?

For crimes and dangerous situations where every second counts, dial the emergency number 110. The operations control centre has an overview of all patrol cars and can organize the fastest help. The police station around the corner has limited capacity and is therefore the point of contact for all other cases, especially those with a regional connection. You can find the telephone number of the local police station in the telephone book or online at www.gelbeseiten.de

What information do I need to provide?

Especially when you dial 110, the officers need the following information immediately: Tell them WHAT happened, WHEN and WHERE. Give your name and a contact for further questions. Of course, anonymous reports are also taken seriously. However, if the 110 is misused, the call will be traced and, if necessary, reported to the police.

I always call in the event of a car accident, don't I?

In the case of simple fender benders, you can exchange personal details yourself. In some federal states, the police do not need to be called. However, if there is a dispute or injuries, a criminal offense has been committed or the scene of the accident needs to be secured, call 110.

What about calling the police because of a disturbance?

Before you call the police if your neighbors are too loud, please try to talk to them yourself first. If you don't get anywhere and you can't sleep, call your local police station.

Do I call the police if an animal runs towards me?

At the very least, it makes sense to call your local police station and ask if the animal has been reported as lost. Otherwise, you can take it to the animal shelter or police station yourself. If the animal poses a danger, call 110.

What if my roof is destroyed by a storm?

Are people at risk, are there any injuries or could parts of the roof fall down and block the road? Then call 110 or 112. The police or fire department will secure the damaged area and inform other responsible parties.

Call the police if you suspect something - yes or no?

The police urge every citizen to help in the fight against burglars and to report suspicious persons by calling 110. Even if you are unsure, it is better to call the police once too often.

Can 110 sometimes be busy?

This can happen in exceptional cases. The police receive hundreds of calls every day - sometimes at the same time, of course. Even if there are a lot of reception desks, it can happen that they are all busy at the same time. It is therefore important to only dial 110 in genuine emergencies.