Online Police Report? DOB

[If1knewiwouldnotbehere]

Can any one explain why I need to provide my date of birth for reporting a crime? Like how relevant is it to know what day month and year I was born?

If they're collecting for statistics, why not a range, why so specific and why is it compulsory, so I can't go past?

AIBU to think they don't need my DOB to investigate the theft of my catalytic converter, that they are unlikely to investigate anyway.

I suspect they need your date of birth if it went to court - you would need to give your date of birth on an official statement.

It depends on whether this online form is admissible evidence in court - and at what level. If they need to get a formal statement later to use in court then there is no need for your DOB here. If this is admissible in court then it would be needed.

in reality I suspect they collect it in order to use in evidence against you in cases of insurance fraud as this would be admissible evidence then!

I had to look that up as when I worked with police and court documents, I don't recall seeing date of birth. But it was a while ago.

But it appears reports only require age if the person is under 18. Which makes sense. So nope, don't think that's the reason.

I think your latter point is more likely, which means it's not necessary.

If it's for insurance reasons, is it another factor in confirming your identity?

If you don’t want to give it then make it up just to get past that point? If it becomes relevant then claim computer issues.

Not sure why this is such an issue. I would presume this was to confirm ID if needed as there may be more than one person with the same name. You could always ask the police if it is such a concern.

I'm not sure why you think it's not an issue to constantly be asked identifying information on the internet, unnecessarily.

Additionally, I'd love to ask the police but they dont' pick up their phone and keep directing me to make the report on the website. Simply asked here, to see if someone had an idea why, if there is a genuine requirement I'd of course comply.

I work for the police. One of the reasons they ask for your date of birth so that they can check their record management systems to see if you have previously been a victim of crime, have already known vulnerabilities or may be vulnerable to specific crimes due to your age. These factors may effect how the crime is responded to.

We do pick up the phone but often we have to answer stupid questions such as 'why do you need my date of birth' which ties up our time when it would be easier to just provide it.

Dob is usually needed for an official report, everyone that reports a crime will have a person record, dob is needed to complete that record. If you then have to report another crime it will be added to your person record. It will save there being reports attached to the wrong person because of the same name. Also, if someone is a victim of a lot of the same crimes then they may be being targeted. A lot of vulnerable people are targeted and it police can safeguard people better if they know exactly what is happening and when.

There is nothing sinister about asking for a dob. If you report something that isn’t a crime then it is unlikely you will be asked for your dob, so if reporting an RTC or anti social behaviour. If the anti social behaviour turns into a crime like criminal damage or similar then you dob will be needed.

I had to phone the police recently regarding a stray cow that was going for a leisurely stroll down the road last week and the operator asked me for my D.O.B which surprised me a bit.
So it's not just online OP, it's on the phone too.
I didn't think to ask why they needed that as I was too fascinated by the cow ambling up my neighbours garden path while snacking on her winter pansies.

As someone who turns those online reports into official reports.

It I primarily to make sure we have the correct "Jane Smith" we are recording as a victim of crime.

We do pick up the phone but often we have to answer stupid questions such as 'why do you need my date of birth' which ties up our time when it would be easier to just provide it.

I work in Data protection, you work for the police asking why you need my dob is not a stupid question.

@UglyPugnaciousTroll However, thank you for your confirmation. I knew someone on mumsnet would have an idea or indeed know.

It attaches it to your file and the intelligence database

On*