Bring a charge

If you have become aware of a crime, you can file a report with the police online. In doing so, you inform the law enforcement authorities (police and public prosecutor's office) about the event and the course of events.

You can file a criminal complaint, whether you are injured, can witness a crime or are not involved. Rapid processing is encouraged by the selection of the federal state in which the event took place.

You can file a complaint informally, by telephone, online and at the police station, either anonymously or by providing your contact details. The online advertisement is to be understood as an additional offer.

In the case of criminal complaints, the focus is on the notification of a criminal fact. A distinction is made between different groups of offences.

Please note that offences from the following groups of offences can be reported online:

• Theft/property crime
• Fraud
• Damage to property
• Hate and agitation on the Internet

Other crimes can be reported via the category "other criminal complaint". In order to promote the fastest possible processing, please select a suitable offense.

If you file a complaint, you are a witness in the criminal proceedings. Notwithstanding your online complaint, it may be necessary to summon you to the relevant police station as part of the further processing of this report, for example in order to be able to conduct a witness examination with you in person.

It is also possible to attach photos, receipts or documents as electronic attachments to the advertisement. In particular, this option should be used to provide evidence (proof of purchase, receipts or pictures of stolen items, damaged items or screenshots of screen content) to the police with the report.

Police in the respective federal state in which the crime occurred or the online guard

Police in the respective federal state in which the crime occurred. The online guard in Hesse can be found at onlinewache.polizei.hessen.de

Forms available: Yes
Written form required: No
Informal application possible: Yes
Personal appearance required: No

Any person who has knowledge of a crime can file a complaint. You don't have to meet any specific requirements.

Not applicable

A report can be made or submitted online, in writing, by telephone or orally.

If you want to submit the advertisement online:

• The online submission of an advertisement takes place in several steps.
• You can file a criminal complaint via the Internet portal. These can be various offenses.
• You access the Internet portal via a central URL.
• The selection of the federal state responsible for processing is based on the location of the event.
• After selecting the appropriate offense-oriented form for filing a complaint, you can provide basic information about yourself (e.g. Personal details, mobile phone number, e-mail address).
• You can then enter data on the crime scene, the time of the crime, the perpetrator and the event itself.
• The registration is accompanied by legal instructions (witness or accused information as well as criminal complaint requirement and notice of employment).
• It is possible to submit documents such as proof of purchase, receipts and/or images such as screenshots, images of damage or stolen items with the advertisement.
• After submitting the notification, you will receive an e-mail with a transaction number and the contact details of the processing office.

The competent police department receives the complaint and examines it. If you file a complaint of a criminal offence committed outside Germany or in another federal state, the prosecution authority will submit the report to the competent authority.
Only if no investigative approaches are available will the investigation be discontinued by the public prosecutor's office. The chances of success vary depending on the type of crime. Basically, the more information you provide, the higher the chances that the police will find the perpetrator.
Anyone who knowingly and falsely suspects a person commits a crime. The law provides for a fine or imprisonment of up to five years.

A deadline is not to be met. However, you should pay attention to the respective limitation periods, because as a rule, criminal offenses usually become statute-barred after a certain period of time.

Upon receipt of the online advertisement, you will receive an email confirmation with a transaction number. The processing time depends on various factors. It is not possible to limit the time.

If you file a complaint, you are a witness in the criminal proceedings. It may be necessary to summon you to the relevant police station as part of the further processing of your complaint, for example in order to be able to conduct a witness examination with you personally.

Anyone who has knowledge of a criminal offence but does not report it can be liable to prosecution. There are no special formal requirements. Caution should be exercised if it is a suspected crime. Defamation and false suspicion are punishable by law, and the person who files the complaint must expect legal action against him. Crimes such as murder, robbery, war crimes and high treason are subject to reporting.

A criminal complaint cannot be withdrawn. You should therefore think carefully about whether you want to file a criminal complaint. According to the principle of legality, the authorities are subsequently obliged to investigate.