Polisanmäla

Polisanmäla is a Swedish verb meaning to report to the police about a crime or incident. The act creates a formal anmälan (police report) that records what happened, when, where, and who was involved. Anyone with knowledge of or witness to a crime can polisanmäla. Common reasons include theft, violence, vandalism, fraud, threats, or traffic accidents with injuries or property damage. In many cases authorities may respond to a situation even without a formal filing, but a polisanmälan is typically required to trigger a formal investigation.

Process and information gathered: A polisanmälan can be made at a local police station, by telephone, or through the police’s online services for certain offences. When filing, the reporter provides basic information such as dates, locations, descriptions of events, and contact information for victims and witnesses, along with any available evidence (photos, documents, videos). The police decide whether to register the report as a brottsanmälan and whether to open an investigation. The reporter may be contacted for clarifications, and in some cases the reporter’s identity can be kept confidential.

Outcomes: After filing, the police determine what further action is necessary, which may include investigations, contacting suspects, or referring the matter to other authorities. Not all polisanmälningar lead to charges; many are closed after preliminary assessment or due to lack of evidence.

Legal note: Providing true information is essential; giving false information to the police can be illegal and may lead to penalties.