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Assault

As assault is where a person intentionally or recklessly uses unlawful force against someone else. Assaults are usually categorised by the injuries caused. Common assault, actual bodily harm (ABH) and grievous bodily harm (GBH) are all criminal offences and cover a range of injuries from bruises or scratches through to life threatening injuries.

However an assault can take place even if no force is used. If someone threatens to assault you, but there is no physical violence, then the threats alone could be enough for this to be considered an assault. If someone intentionally spits at you then this may also be an assault.

To get targeted advice please select from the cards below before pressing the ‘see my options’ button.

You do not have to select a card from every category. Alternatively skip to the general advice.
No information is recorded unless you choose to report this to us.

Victim/Witness

I have been assaulted

You have been assaulted, or threatened with assault, and want to report it to the police

Someone I know has been assaulted

Someone you know has been assaulted, or threatened with assault, and you want to report it

I witnessed an assault and want to report it

You witnessed an assault to someone you don’t know and want to provide a statement or tell the police

I have been spat at

Someone has intentionally spat at you and you wish to report it

My child has been assaulted at school

You want advice after your child was assaulted at school

There are witnesses

Someone saw the incident happen

I don't think there are any witnesses

You don't know if anyone saw what happened

Your situation

I am under 16 and have been assaulted

I have been assaulted and am under 16 years old

This has happened more than once

This isn't the first time this has happened

I do not speak English very well

English is not your first language and you may have difficulties discussing your concerns

I feel I've been targeted

If you feel that you have been targeted for a particular reason please make sure you tell us this

The person who did this

I think I know who did this

You have details of, or suspect you know who committed the crime

I’m related to the person who assaulted me

You may have been assaulted by someone in your family or a partner

I don’t know who committed the crime but I do have a description

You have a description of what the offender looks like or the car they are driving

I don't have a name or description of the person, but I have other details

You do not have any description or names of those involved, but do have details such as their address, their place of work, their number plate, online details etc.

Someone I know has details about who did this

Someone believes they have information about the person or people who have done this

I don't know who did this

You do not have any details of who is involved in this

Evidence

There is video footage or photos

There may be CCTV, video or images of the incident or offender

There is evidence which could identify the person responsible

There may be evidence such as bodily fluids, fingerprints, footprints or saliva

They left something behind

The suspect may have left an item behind

There are verbal or written comments

The suspect said something, left graffiti, or wrote something online or sent emails or messages

I have injuries

You have physical wounds, bruises or scratches

I don’t know if there is any evidence

You are unsure if there is evidence that can help with the investigation

Concerns

This is affecting my mental or physical health

You would like support following this incident

I'm worried about going to court about the assault

You do not feel comfortable taking part in a trial or hearing

No physical violence was used

While no violence was used, someone made threats to use violence towards you

I was under the influence of drink or drugs

You had been drinking or had taken drugs prior to the assault.

I did not take photos of my injuries

You did not keep any images of your injuries following the assault

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Assault