To submit a crime tip off in South Africa, use the official South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Stop contact channels. You can submit information 100% anonymously, and you do not need to provide your name or personal details unless you choose to do so.
- For Anonymous Crime Tip-Offs: Call the SAPS Crime Stop line on 08600 10111, send an SMS to 32211, or submit a report via the MySAPS Mobile Application.
- For Active Emergencies / Crimes in Progress: Call 10111 immediately from a landline or cellphone, or dial 112 from any mobile network.
- For Local Station Reporting: Contact your local police station charge office or visit in person to open a case and receive a CAS (Crime Administration System) reference number.
Direct Answer: Which Number or Contact Route to Use
Choosing the correct contact route depends on whether the crime is happening right now, whether you wish to remain anonymous, or whether you need official police assistance at a local station level.
| Reporting Goal | Best Contact Channel | Toll-Free / Cost | Anonymity Option |
| Active Emergency / Crime in Progress | Dial 10111 or 112 | Free on most mobile networks (112) | No (Dispatch needs location/caller info) |
| Submit Crime Tip Off (Non-Emergency) | Call 08600 10111 (Crime Stop) | Standard call rates apply | 100% Anonymous |
| SMS Tip-Off | Text details to 32211 | Standard SMS rates | 100% Anonymous |
| Mobile App Tip-Off | Download MySAPS App(iOS / Android) | Data required | 100% Anonymous or Named |
| Local Station Case Reporting | Visit or call your local station | Standard call rates | Named (Required to open a case file) |
Note: PoliceStation.co.za is an independent public information directory. We are not SAPS, and we do not collect or process crime reports directly. Always use the official SAPS contact routes listed above to report crimes or submit official tip-offs.
Emergency Police Help vs Anonymous Crime Stop Tip-Offs
It is crucial to understand the difference between emergency response channels and anonymous tip-off services when deciding how to report a crime.
When to Call Emergency Police Lines
If a life is in danger, an armed robbery is underway, or a suspect is currently at the scene, do not use tip-off services. Emergency operators need immediate details to dispatch vehicle units to your exact location.
- 10111 Police Number: The primary national emergency call center line. Trained operators answer your call, log the emergency, and route the incident to the nearest SAPS sector patrol vehicle.
- 112 Emergency Number South Africa: The universal mobile emergency route in South Africa. Dialing 112 connects you to a central emergency call center that can route your request to SAPS, Metro Police, fire services, or ambulance assistance.
When to Submit an Anonymous Crime Tip-Off
If you have information regarding illegal activities, drug syndicate locations, wanted suspects, stolen goods, or unsolved cold cases, you should use the SAPS Crime Stop channel to report crime anonymously South Africa.
- 08600 10111 Crime Stop Number: Operated 24/7 by specialized SAPS agents. Callers are assigned a unique code number. You do not have to state your name, address, or phone number.
- MySAPS App: Allows citizens to submit tip-offs, attach media or suspect descriptions, and select whether to stay anonymous. The app also features a station finder and emergency alert tools.
- SMS 32211: A quick text route managed by Crime Stop for concise tip-off information.
How to Find the Nearest Police Station Contact Details
While Crime Stop handles national tip-offs, many local issues—such as reporting ongoing neighborhood disturbances, following up on existing case numbers, or requesting local sector patrol visibility—require direct communication with your neighborhood station.
To contact or visit your local station:
- Locate Station Information: Use our station finder directory to look up your nearest police station physical address, telephone contact details, and station commander contacts.
- Contact the Station Charge Office: Call the primary landline to speak with the station duty officer or Community Service Centre (CSC) staff.
- Save Sector Police Numbers: Most stations divide their policing precincts into sectors. Identify your local Sector Manager or Sector Patrol Vehicle cell phone number for direct local response.
- Visit in Person: For official affidavits, case docket registration, certified document copies, or formal statements, you must visit the police station charge office in person.
Important Support and Complaint Numbers
If you need to escalate service delivery failures, lodge a complaint regarding police conduct, or seek specialized assistance outside standard station services, keep these essential contacts recorded. For a broader list of national contacts, consult our guide on Emergency Numbers South Africa.
- SAPS Service Complaints Centre: Call 08600 333 177 or email
[email protected]to lodge a complaint regarding poor service delivery, uninvestigated cases, or lack of feedback from a specific police station. - Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID): IPID independently investigates alleged misconduct, corruption, or offences committed by SAPS or Municipal Police officers. Contact IPID national call centers or provincial offices if official misconduct occurs.
- National Gender-Based Violence Command Centre: Call 0800 428 428 (0800 GBV GBV) or dial
*120*7867#for emergency support regarding domestic abuse, sexual violence, and human trafficking. - National Youth & Child Protection Helplines: Call Childline South Africa on 116 for immediate child protection support.
What to Do Before You Call or Visit
Preparing your details before calling the Crime Stop number or visiting a station ensures officers and intelligence analysts can act swiftly on your information.
Requirements & Details to Prepare
When submitting a crime tip-off, gather as much accurate information as possible without placing yourself or others in danger:
- Location Details: Street names, house numbers, prominent landmarks, GPS coordinates, or specific business names.
- Suspect Descriptions: Gender, estimated age, height, build, hair style, distinctive tattoos, clothing, and known aliases or nicknames.
- Vehicle Information: Make, model, color, registration plate number, modifications, or visible damage.
- Incident Specifics: Dates, times, frequency of activity, types of weapons involved, or types of illegal goods observed.
- Digital Media: Photos or video evidence (only submit if gathered safely and legally).
Safety and Legal Warnings
- Do Not Investigate: Never attempt to confront suspects, enter private property, or conduct personal investigations. Leave intelligence gathering to specialized law enforcement teams.
- Preserve Evidence: If a crime scene exists, do not touch or move any objects before SAPS forensics or investigating officers arrive.
- False Reporting is Illegal: Submitting deliberately false information or making fake emergency calls is a criminal offence under South African law and wastes critical emergency resources.
Official Source to Verify
For official SAPS media releases, police tender notices, official service charters, or direct national portal updates, verify information on the official government website at saps.gov.za.
Related Contact Pages and FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the right number for submit crime tip off south africa?
The primary national number to submit a crime tip-off anonymously in South Africa is the SAPS Crime Stop line at 08600 10111. You can also submit anonymous text tip-offs by sending an SMS to 32211 or by using the MySAPS mobile application.
When should I call 10111?
You should call 10111 immediately if a crime is currently in progress, if suspects are still at the scene, or if there is an urgent threat to life or property. Do not use Crime Stop or SMS lines for active, life-threatening emergencies.
What is Crime Stop used for?
Crime Stop is a specialized SAPS division used to gather intelligence and anonymous information from the public regarding unsolved crimes, illegal activities, drug syndicates, corruption, and the whereabouts of wanted suspects.
Can I report anonymously?
Yes, all tip-offs submitted through the Crime Stop phone line (08600 10111), the 32211 SMS service, and the MySAPS mobile app can be submitted completely anonymously. You will be given a unique reference code, and you are not required to provide your identity.