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What to do if…
police contact you about someone else and ask for their location

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Pause, verify it is really the police, and do not guess or lie. If you are unsure what you can safely say, say you need legal advice before answering questions about someone else’s location.

Do not do these things

  • Do not lie, fill gaps, or guess their location to get off the phone.
  • Do not give your address, workplace, bank details, passwords, or device access just because the caller sounds official.
  • Do not assume a phone call is genuine; police impersonation scams happen.
  • Do not consent to a search of your phone, devices, home, or documents just because you feel pressured; ask whether you are being required to do something or being asked to agree.
  • Do not let yourself be rushed into letting officers into your home without asking what legal power or warrant they are relying on.
  • Do not physically block officers if they say they are using a power to enter; step back, stay calm, and ask for the power, name, collar number, force, and incident reference.
  • Do not start coordinating calls or messages about this while you are panicked and unclear what is happening.

What to do now

  1. Verify the contact first.
    Ask for the officer’s name, rank, collar number, force, and incident or log reference. End the call, wait a few minutes or use another phone if possible, then call 101 or the force’s publicly listed switchboard to check. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.

  2. Ask what the contact is about.
    Say: “Is this a welfare check, a missing person enquiry, a wanted person enquiry, or something else?” Then ask: “Am I being asked as a witness, or am I suspected of anything?”

  3. If you genuinely do not know where the person is, say that plainly.
    Say: “I do not know where they are right now.” Do not add guesses, rumours, possible addresses, or “they might be at” details unless you actually know.

  4. If you do know where the person is, slow the conversation down.
    Say: “I need legal advice before I answer questions about someone else’s location.” Ask for the reference number and say you will call back through 101 or the force switchboard after advice.

  5. If this may be about immediate danger, separate that from the pressure to answer.
    If you believe someone is at real and immediate risk of death or serious harm, call 999 and report the risk as clearly as you can. You can still avoid guessing details you do not know.

  6. If officers come to your door, keep it controlled.
    Speak through the door first if that feels safer. Ask to see a warrant card or ID. Ask: “Do you have a warrant, or what power are you using to enter?” Police powers and procedures differ across the UK, so do not argue the law on the doorstep; ask them to state the power and make a note.

  7. If you are detained, arrested, cautioned, or asked to attend an interview, ask for legal advice immediately.
    Say: “I want legal advice before any questions.” If you are at a police station, ask for the duty solicitor or your own solicitor. If it is a voluntary interview, ask for legal advice before agreeing to be interviewed.

  8. Make a brief note while it is fresh.
    Write down the time and date, who contacted you, their name and collar number, the force, the incident reference, what they asked, what you said, and any pressure or threats used.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide right now whether to “cooperate fully” or “say nothing forever”.
  • You do not need to explain the whole relationship, defend the person, criticise them, or tell a long story on the spot.
  • You do not need to hand over devices, passwords, documents, or private messages without first asking what power or requirement is being relied on.
  • You do not need to contact the person being sought while you are panicked, especially if you do not understand what the police contact is about.

Important reassurance

It is normal to feel pressured when police ask for someone’s location right now. Taking a minute to verify identity, avoid guessing, and ask for legal advice is a sensible way to protect yourself while keeping the situation steady.

Scope note

These are first steps for the initial contact only. If this becomes a formal investigation, interview, search, arrest, missing person matter, or safeguarding situation, later decisions may need specialist legal or safeguarding help.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, professional, financial, medical, or therapeutic advice. Police powers, interview rights, and legal advice routes can depend on the situation and where you are in the UK.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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