Call 911 for emergencies
If someone’s life or property is in danger, or if you see a crime in progress, call 911 immediately.
Halifax Regional Police define “in progress” as currently happening, or any situation where the suspect may still be in the area and/or the victim may still be in danger.
The following are treated as emergency situations:
- assaults
- robberies
- break and enters
- fights
- gunshots
- vehicle accidents with injuries
- suspected impaired drivers
- someone is in the process of stealing a vehicle
This is not a complete list. If you aren’t sure if your situation is an emergency, call 911 and let the experts decide.
More information on calling 911 from the Nova Scotia Emergency Measures Organization.
Reporting non-emergencies
If the crime isn’t urgent, you have a few options for reporting it.
By phone
I want a police officer to come to the scene of a crime
If you want police officers to come to the scene, but the situation is not an emergency, call 902.490.5020. This is the non-emergency dispatch line, and should be used for reporting:
- not-in-progress:
- break and enters
- robberies
- stolen vehicles
- historical sexual assaults
- in progress:
- driving complaints
- noise complaints
I want to report an incident, but don’t need a police officer on the scene
If you want to report a crime but don’t need an officer to come to the scene, call the incident reporting line at 902.490.5016. Use this phone number to report:
- thefts
- thefts from vehicles
- property damage
- driving complaints (not in progress)
- fraud
- lost or found property
- stolen license plates
Reporting motor vehicle collisions
You must report motor vehicle collisions in person at police headquarters or a divisional office.
The person who files the report must be the driver involved in the collision or the owner of a parked vehicle involved in a hit and run.
You will need the following documents to file a report:
- valid driver’s license
- valid proof of insurance
- valid vehicle permit
I think I might be the victim of fraud or identity theft
You don’t need to call police to report that you’ve been contacted in relation to a scam. You can report a scam where you haven’t been a victim to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, or you can use the RCMP’s online reporting system or call 1.888.495.8501.
I want to make an anonymous tip
All anonymous tips about crimes should be directed to Crime Stoppers. Call 1.800.222.TIPS (8477) to provide anonymous information about a crime.
Online crime reporting
Some crimes can be reported online to the Halifax Regional Police. Use the online reporting form if:
- you've lost something
- someone has stolen something from you
- someone has vandalized your property, including your car. Please note that this does not include motor vehicle collisions. You must report collisions in person at police headquarters or a divisional office.
- someone has broken into your car
You can also file various online crime reports in French.
Before you report a crime through the online tool, make sure you have all relevant information, including serial numbers and values of stolen items. You may also need to turn off your pop-up blocking software.
You will receive an email—usually within 24 hours—that explains if your report has been approved or rejected or if the police need additional information from you. Approved reports will be accompanied by a PDF copy of the report and a case number that you can use for insurance purposes. The temporary reference number you receive immediately after filing your report is not a report number and cannot be used for insurance claims.
Leave a message for an officer
You can also message a specific police officer or report not-in-progress driving complaints and problem traffic areas through the “Message for an Officer” tool. Input your specific information in the "Message for the Officer" text box at the bottom of the form.
Please note that "message for an officer" submission are not monitored on weekends or holidays and will not be reviewed until the next business day. You can call the incident reporting line at 902.490.5016 if you require a more immediate response.
Visit Halifax Regional Police in person
You can file a report in person at any of Halifax Regional Police’s three divisional offices.