Crime reduction 

Nuisance and malicious calls and messages

Nuisance calls are calls that are not indecent, threatening or offensive, but which cause annoyance or anxiety. Silent calls or calls at unsociable hours are two examples.

Malicious calls are calls that are incident, offensive or threatening. They may form part of a campaign of harassment - to cause fear and distress. Malicious calls may involve more serious offences such as blackmail or threats to damage property.

General advice

• Anyone can receive a nuisance phone call as offenders may dial any telephone number at random.
• If you're unsure who is calling you, don't give your name or your number when you answer a call. Just say 'hello?'. A genuine caller is very likely to begin the conversation and identify themselves.
• Don’t give out personal information about yourself or people you live with unless you know the caller well.
• Use an answer machine/voicemail to screen your incoming calls.
• After the call, press 1471 on your phone keypad to find out the caller’s number. If necessary, callers can still be traced even if they have used the ‘141 number withheld’ facility. Ask your phone service provider for details.
• Avoid leaving your name or your number in the opening messages of any answering machines or services that you use.
• Don’t give your number to a caller unless you know them well. If a caller asks your number, ask them which number they were looking for, then simply tell them if they were right or wrong.
• Don’t leave messages on your answering machine/voicemail saying that you are out, on holiday or away. Instead, say that you are unable to take the call at the moment.
• If you live alone, consider saying “We can’t take your call at the moment”, instead of “I can’t take your call at the moment” when you record your answering machine/voicemail opening message.
• Having a male voice reading a message on your answering machine/voicemail may also deter some malicious callers.
• If you're a single female, don't put 'Miss' in the phone book. If you are a woman, do not give details of your sex or marital status in the phone book. Use your initials instead of your first name.
• Consider going ex-directory or changing your phone number.
• Make sure that your children know not to give out any personal details over the telephone.