Why do the Police want personal information when reporting an uninsured vehicle?

Conrad3000

Hi there. I recently reported an uninsured vehicle in my street. I used the Live Chat feature on the Police website and when nearing the end of the conversation, they asked me if I could provide my full name, date of birth, telephone number, and email?!

I was actually kind of shocked at this.

I thought that service was meant to be anonymous? And why on earth would they want my info in the first place?

Thanks.

Grumpy_chap

To prevent against malicious and vexatious claims

daveyjp

If you want to be anonymous report it on Crimestoppers.

shaun_from_Africa

This is one I looked at but I'm sure they are all similar:
https://west-midlands.police.uk/contact-us/live-chat

Before a chat begins you will be asked for your name so our Contact Advisor can talk to you, and you can also provide a telephone number and email address if you choose to do so.

The information you provide using the chat service will be subject to police scrutiny. Any information found to be false or misleading will render you liable to prosecution.

After all, if you were reporting a legal vehicle, they may want to know why:

Hi there. I recently reported an insured vehicle in my street.

Conrad3000

Grumpy_chap said:

To prevent against malicious and vexatious claims

I'm sure they can verify my claim in a few seconds on their system.

Conrad3000

daveyjp said:

If you want to be anonymous report it on Crimestoppers.

They asked me to use 101.

32Battalion

How many vehicles have you reported this year?

Scrapit

whats the problem? If you are legitimate then give them all the info they request. If you are something along the lines of a neighbour with an axe to grind make it up.

Conrad3000

32Battalion said:

How many vehicles have you reported this year?

Are you saying it's wrong to report them? The fact that I and others pay our way to use the roads, and others don't?

Conrad3000

Scrapit said:

whats the problem? If you are legitimate then give them all the info they request. If you are something along the lines of a neighbour with an axe to grind make it up.

They can probably use my IP address to find out my particulars anyway.

Scrapit

Conrad3000 said:

Scrapit said:

whats the problem? If you are legitimate then give them all the info they request. If you are something along the lines of a neighbour with an axe to grind make it up.

They can probably use my IP address to find out my particulars anyway.

Why would they bother, you are gonna give them over anyway.