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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask how the police got my details?

35 replies

DailyFailGoAway · 16/04/2018 13:44

NC for this one.

Recently reported a local concerning incident to Police. I wasn't asked for my contact details and didn't offer them.

I have since had a message from them, on my home ex-directory number, and giving my full name.

I had used that phone to ring them, but it is permanently set to withhold my number in outgoing calls.

How did they get my withheld, ex-directory number, my name, (and presumably my address)?!

I'm not a criminal and I'm not needed as a witness, (message said they don't need to speak to me, it was just a courtesy call).

I do prefer to keep my contact details private and in these days of data protection laws and breaches of privacy and data, it does feel a bit like Big Brother is watching me. Any thoughts on how and why they got all my details, and whether they should be able to?

OP posts:
smashedhen · 16/04/2018 14:00

If you dialled 999your details are on record under the Emergency Services database

onlyjustme · 16/04/2018 14:03

They are the police!!!
I could understand it if it was the local village hall or something but it is the police...
"We're really sorry, we couldn't investigate that crime, because whilst we do know who it was and where they live, they are ex-directory and asked google to remove their data. Sorry folks!!"

PapaLazarousWife · 16/04/2018 14:03

Your number won't be withheld when ringing the police on 999. Presumably they were trying to reassure/advise you with their courtesy call. Hardly Big Brother Hmm

Weezol · 16/04/2018 14:09

The police didn't ask you to confirm your name, address, date of birth and phone number during the call you made to report?

That has never happened to me - it's their standard set of questions to any report. And I've just had several months of calling the police two or three times a week.

frasier · 16/04/2018 14:11

I would have presumed any call to the police would cut through a withheld number block or similar. If not, what would happen if the call was a bomb threat or similar?

There are ways (Crimestoppers, internet sites) to report crime anonymously.

ShotsFired · 16/04/2018 14:22

@Weezol Mon 16-Apr-18 14:09:01
The police didn't ask you to confirm your name, address, date of birth and phone number during the call you made to report?

That has never happened to me - it's their standard set of questions to any report. And I've just had several months of calling the police two or three times a week

Me either, even when I called 999 once to report something, they spent ages going through all my details before they would listen to my report (which was a live, dangerous situation - I was happy to hang on the line and provide it after they'd done whatever about the emergency, so seemed arse about face to me)

FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast · 16/04/2018 14:23

the police know your details and what car you drive.

Welcome to Big Brother state.

FrogFairy · 16/04/2018 14:26

I would assume that dialling 999 will over ride any privacy settings so that in an emergency situation where you were unable to speak properly to make a full report they can trace you and come to your rescue.

Mummyoflittledragon · 16/04/2018 14:26

@onlyjustme Grin. They’d look pretty incompetent. Imagine, if it were that simple, all the crims could just go ex directory!

Farahilda · 16/04/2018 14:27

IIRC the police have unfettered access to the electoral role for purposes of preventing and investigating crime, and following up a statement from the public would count as such. They can also cross reference to some other large databases.

If you didn't give your name or any identifying details at all, then it must be witchcraft, as they would have no starting point.

Natasha20 · 16/04/2018 14:29

My number is also permanently withheld, but certain organisations can still see it such as my utility company. So I assume the police can too.

Bumblefuddle · 16/04/2018 14:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lweji · 16/04/2018 14:36

They are the police!!!

Well... This.

it does feel a bit like Big Brother is watching me.
The police ringing you back is the least of your worries. Grin

Bumblefuddle · 16/04/2018 14:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BuggerBugger · 16/04/2018 14:40

"Keep them on the line Perkins. Keep them talking. Lets get a trace on the call.... get ready to sent the SWAT team in..."

"I can't get a trace yet Guv......I think....oh bollocks....they've withheld their number..."

"What....??? Criminals are getting so sophisticated these days. Bloody dialling 141 first.... the must be professionals at this kidnapping lark."

"Ah bollocks. Nothing we can do. Lets go down the pub."

frankchickens · 16/04/2018 14:40

This is a classic!

Quartz2208 · 16/04/2018 14:40

999 has to have that information - if you can only just manage to dial the number (if you have fallen or something) and cant speak they need to be able to know the number and the address attached to that number.

So do the local Police - as a previous poster said it is an exemption

FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast · 16/04/2018 14:41

BuggerBugger Grin

wink1970 · 16/04/2018 14:42

The emergency services are allowed to 'reverse lookup' which means they can use your telephone number to look up your other details. They are the only people allowed to do this (ignoring the 'who called me' type sites which are guessing games).

Your number is only 'withheld' as a type of mask, it's not entirely blanked out, so they will be able to see it.

Bumble is correct, the ES & government have special provision under GDPR to hold or process your data without your explicit consent.

FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast · 16/04/2018 14:44

also of course they have access to DVLA database so they can check which car you drive.
Yes this has happened to me.

PattiStanger · 16/04/2018 14:46

It's not just 999, I have my mobile set to withhold the number and lent it to someone who'd had their phone stolen to report the theft on 101, I didn't know the person and they didn't know my phone number but the follow up texts were sent to me. I assumed the police must be able to see the number even if you withhold it, I don't know if the same happens to landlines

AlbertaSimmons · 16/04/2018 14:52

Awww, bless Wink.

Fintress · 16/04/2018 14:53

A different scenario but regarding phone numbers and the police. Last year we were wakened in the middle of the night by the cops hammering on our door. I nearly had a heart attack. A male and a female officer, told us they'd had a 999 call from a hysterical, frightened female who gave them our address.

They took us into separate rooms and questioned us, it was quite clear we'd been sound asleep. I was so annoyed, asked if they had the number she called from (yes), was it a mobile (yes), did they have her name (yes) was it either of these numbers and rattled off both of ours and handed the female cop the phones as well as telling her my name. No, it wasn't either of them and a different name. They left after 20 minutes of giving us the third degree, meanwhile some female was anxiously waiting on them. I thought something awful had happened to one of our family. I was totally pissed off.

Tinkobell · 16/04/2018 14:55

C'mon OP, fess up.....were you just time wasting?!

BitOutOfPractice · 16/04/2018 15:04

I really laughed at the idea of criminals dialling 141 before calling in their evil demands to the police Grin

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