Crime reduction 

What to do if you receive malicious material by post or by text message

Malicious material sent by post

• Do not throw them away. Keep them safe and handle them as little as possible.
• If the handwriting on the envelope or package seems to belong to a repeat sender of such material, do not open it.
• Keep as detailed a record as possible of when you receive the mail.
• Keep any malicious faxes that you are sent – don’t throw them away.
• Call 101, the 24-hour Thames Valley Police non-emergency number for advice on what to do next.

Malicious messages by text message

• Do not delete them.
• If the messages are persistent, and you report them, you may be asked to attend a police station so that the messages can be witnessed and recorded in a statement.