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ACT Policing’s online reporting portal will see its third expansion with the Canberra community able to report theft and lost property from today.
Since June 2023 when people were able to report property damage and vandalism and then dangerous driving in May 2024, police have now received more than 3600 online reports.
This expanded capability will now allow incidents such as retail theft (e.g. theft of clothes or alcohol from a retail outlet) and personal theft (e.g. theft of tools from the tray of a vehicle or a bike theft) to be reported to ACT Policing via its website. Lost property such as mobile phones or wallets can now also be reported online.
Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Marisa Paterson MLA said the new expansion offers more choice and convenience for the Canberra community to report crime and other incidents to police.
“The online reporting portal makes it easier for people to report crimes and other matters without having to physically visit a police station or call a hotline, particularly for non-urgent incidents,” Minister Paterson said.
“We know people want options when engaging with police and this builds on the successful roll out of online reporting for other incident types. Canberrans will always be able to call ACT Policing or attend a station, but this expansion provides everyone a further option.“
Importantly, once the report is received via the portal, the same standard of service is applied by ACT Policing with all submissions undergoing the same triage and assessment process as other reporting channels.
ACT Policing Chief Police Officer Scott Lee said online reporting had freed up police resources which allowed officers to focus on significant and time-critical matters by handling non-urgent incidents online.
“The portal has enhanced situational awareness for responding police due to consistent available information from the online report and triage process, also reducing time for officers to complete incident information within the case management system,” Chief Police Officer Lee said.
“I also want to assure the community they will receive the same level of service from ACT Policing, however they choose to report an incident.”
People can report theft incidents that occurred in the ACT online using any digital device if they are over 13 years of age, have a current email address, and phone number. The person reporting online must either be the victim or reporting on behalf of the victim.
Lost property matters can be reported by anyone.
Following submission, a response acknowledging receipt of a report will be sent, followed by an assessment outcome within 48 hours. If a report is accepted, the assessment will include an ACT Policing reference number which can be used when contacting police in relation to an incident.
The reporting excludes the reporting of the items below which can still be reported by calling 131 444, or by attending a local police station.
- Firearms, ammunition and firearm parts
- Property stolen during a burglary (Building unlawfully entered/broken into to have the property stolen).
- Theft of a motor vehicle or vehicle number plates
Additional forms available on the portal include reporting of property damage, dangerous driving, historic sexual assaults, petrol drive offs and Crime Stoppers.
ACT Policing’s online services portal can be accessed here.