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uk Legal, police, prison & official contact police tried to contact me • missed police contact • never received police letter • police say they wrote to me • police called but i missed it • someone says police were looking for me • asked to attend police station • voluntary interview request • interview under caution • missed summons letter • never received court notice • single justice procedure notice • postal requisition uk • police impersonation scam • fake police call uk • unsure if police contact is real • police want me to call back • worried there is a warrant • old address police letter

What to do if…
you are told police have tried to contact you before but you never received anything

Short answer

Pause and verify the contact using a trusted route (in the UK, call 101), then get legal advice before answering questions if there’s any chance you’re a suspect or you’re being asked to attend an interview.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t call back a number someone gives you (or that appears on a text) without independently finding the official police contact number first.
  • Don’t explain your side, “clear things up,” or answer questions on the phone if you might be a suspect.
  • Don’t go to a police station “just to chat” (including for a “voluntary interview”) without knowing why you’re being asked to attend and what your rights are.
  • Don’t pay anything or share bank details, passwords, one-time codes, or PINs—police will not ask for payment to “avoid arrest”.
  • Don’t ignore it if it could be a court notice (for example, a Single Justice Procedure Notice) because cases can move forward without you responding.

What to do now

  1. Assume “could be real, could be a scam” and slow down. Write down: who told you, what they said police tried to do (call/visit/letter), any name, badge/warrant number, and any “reference/case number”.
  2. Verify using an official channel (not the number you were given).
    • In the UK, call 101 and ask to confirm whether your details match a real attempt to contact you and which station/department it came from.
    • If you feel at risk right now, call 999.
  3. Ask one narrow question: “What is this about, and am I being contacted as a witness/victim or as a suspect?” You’re not trying to “resolve” anything on the call—just establish what kind of contact it is and what they want next (e.g., a letter re-sent, an appointment, or a callback).
  4. If they want an interview (especially a “voluntary interview” / “interview under caution”), get legal advice before you speak.
    • You can say: “I’m willing to arrange a time, but I won’t answer questions until I’ve had legal advice.”
    • For a voluntary interview, the interviewer should ask if you want legal advice, and it’s free. You can ask to speak to a solicitor at any time and ask to delay the interview so you can do that.
  5. Check whether you might have missed a court document. If (after you’ve verified it’s genuine) they say “letters were sent,” ask what address they used and what type of document it was (for example, a requisition or a Single Justice Procedure Notice). If an old address was used, give your current address so future official post goes to the right place.
  6. If you’re told it’s a Single Justice Procedure Notice (or similar), treat it as time-sensitive. Once you have the details, consider getting immediate legal advice and respond using the official instructions on the notice.
  7. If you suspect any scam element, end the call and protect yourself.
    • Hang up. Call 101 via a trusted source to verify.
    • If you’ve shared money/banking details, contact your bank immediately.
    • Report fraud through the UK’s official reporting routes once you’re safe and calm.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide today whether you will “give a statement” or “tell your full story.”
  • You do not need to attend the station immediately just because someone applies pressure.
  • You do not need to contact other people about it right now—first verify what’s real and what your role is.

Important reassurance

It’s common for police contact to fail because of old addresses, missed calls, or messages not being passed on. Verifying contact through official channels and getting legal advice before any interview is a calm, normal response—not an admission of guilt.

Scope note

This is first steps only: verify, reduce scam risk, and avoid self-incrimination or missed deadlines. Any next stage (interview, bail conditions, charges, court paperwork) can be handled once you know exactly what the contact is about.

Important note

This is general information, not legal advice. If you think you may be under investigation, have missed a court notice, or are being asked to attend an interview, consider getting advice from a qualified solicitor as soon as you can.

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