Reporting concerns: who to call and how

In an emergency, call 999

If you believe someone is in immediate danger, or a crime is happening right now, call 999 and ask for the police. Give as much detail as you can: the address, what you saw and when.

Don't put yourself at risk by confronting anyone. Leave the situation first if you can, then make the call.

If you can't speak safely, you can still call 999. Listen to the operator and, if you're on a mobile and prompted, press 55 to show it's a genuine emergency. It's worth knowing, even if you never need it.

If it isn't an emergency

The Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline, run by Unseen, is open 24 hours a day on 08000 121 700. It's confidential, and trained advisers can take information, give advice and pass concerns to the right authorities.

If you'd rather stay anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They'll never ask for your name. You can also contact your local police on 101 for non-urgent matters.

When you call, it helps to have a few notes ready: the address or area, the date and time, descriptions of anyone involved, and any phone numbers or website names you saw. Even small details can help someone join the dots.

Reporting a listing to AskedFor

If your concern relates to a business on AskedFor, please use our report form. Tell us which listing it's and what worries you. Every report is read by our team and looked into.

We can't investigate crimes ourselves, so if you believe someone is at risk, contact the police or the helpline as well as telling us. You can read more about how we approach safety on our safety page.

When you fill in our form, be as specific as you can. Which listing, what you saw or experienced, and when. If you've got screenshots, keep them safe in case they're needed later.

What counts as a concern

You don't need proof. A gut feeling is enough to pick up the phone. Signs such as someone seeming frightened or controlled, a person who may be under 18, someone who isn't free to leave, or a business that looks like a brothel are all worth reporting.

Fake listings, scams, stolen photos and abusive behaviour are also worth telling us about. Our guide to consent and when to walk away lists more warning signs.

It's natural to worry about making a fuss over nothing. Please don't let that stop you. It's far better to report something that turns out to be fine than to stay quiet about something that wasn't.