Can an anonymous false allegation call to police be traced?

[cowsmilk156]

Can an anonymous false allegation call that has been made to police be traced?

If I contact a lawyer is there any way they can help me trace who this call came from??

Depends on how the person made the call if the police can track it down or not. If its found to be a false allegation and this happens a few times the police should be following this up as a waste of their time and you could report it as harassment.

I believe it was from a mobile phone. This is the only details I have. False allegations of neglect against my child. Police visited and were happy it was malicious. However I am distressed the fact I had 2 police officers at my door asking to check on my daughter. I have a good idea who it is but I need proof. Have contacted a lawyer. Fingers crossed

I'm not sure if it's technically possible - I have a vague memory about reports concerning child protection can be anonymised if there's a freedom of information application. However my question to you is - if you could get hold of this information - what would you do with it ?

If you want to sue for libel / slander it will cost you a very pretty penny and the person can easily argue they were acting as a concerned citizen and I doubt you would get any satisfaction. I would strongly suggestion that challenging them either face to face would cast you in a worse light than any false allegation made against you.

The police and social services are obliged to 'investigate' allegations of neglect and harm to child, I understand your anger, but please the best thing to do is move on. You can subtly let the individual know the police have been around and basically judged the call to be malicious, but please leave it there

I agree, if all was found to be false I'd let it go. If it continues to happen they'll get wise to the person making the calls and start looking into it. Unless its an abusive ex who is trying to intimidate you or a stalker trying to make things difficult then I'd let it go. Otherwise you'll be out a fortune with very little to show for it. Plus in the gentlest way possible, people have different standards for living and parenting so it could have been a genuine call (if an unnecessary one) and made without malice. Just try to move on and avoid the person you think made the call.

No, the lawyer won't have access to the police information systems to see the number the call came from. Don't waste your money.

If anything else happens which you believe is malicious then the behaviour crosses over into harassment. Keep a record. You'll never find out what number the call came from and you'll waste money paying a solicitor. As hard as it may be, try not to expend energy on the sad person you think it is.

Don't waste your money.

The police would be able to trace it, however they wouldn't for the purposes of a private law case.

The police will know the number the call came from. They cannot give it out to anybody as that would be a breach of GDPR.

They will not pursue a single allegation that turns out to be nothing. There is no way to prove whether the person reporting was doing so maliciously or due to a genuine concern.

If it becomes a persistent problem that appears malicious, they could pursue it, but IME malicious allegations are made from unregistered PAYG mobiles.

Thank you everyone.

I have made a freedom of information request.

Have a good idea who it was.

You are right, I can't retaliate if I find out who it was, I'm not that kind of person.

But I do not want to take this lying down that someone could be so poisonous as to report me to the police. Anyone and I mean anyone who knows me would never be able to say they have a concern for my child's welfare.

Sick sick people out there but I am also a great believer in what goes around comes around so hopefully there day will come.

Police stated it was 100% malicious, they were more than happy with my home environment, seen my child etc and stated it would go no further.

Me? I'm a complete mess. Absolutely devestated that my child had to have a police officer in their bedroom checking on them while they were in bed for school!

Sick individuals in this world, when there is actually children out there who are being neglected etc who have been failed by the system

You need to take a deep breath and let it go - sorry I'm sure if that's not what you want to hear. Police and social services get these reports all the time.

You won't get any more information from your FOI request as who reported is confidential.

If you are are in a 'complete mess' and 'absolutely devastated' I think you might to find some counselling - there are some things you can do something about, and there are some things you can't and this is most definitely the later. You're wasting your adrenalin ruminating on this. Find something to distract you to help put this in perspective.

I can't disagree with the sentiment, but you are going to get nowhere and carrying this level of hurt and anger will only bounce back on you. If there are further malicious complaints then the police will get fed up and deal with it. And believe me, if you use a phone, even what you think is a "burner" phone, they can and will find you. Maybe not the first time, or even the second, but they will. My sister works in "this area" and they can find anyone they want if they make the effort. Malicious idiots are nowhere as clever as terrorists, and they find them easily. Technology is a great give- away. Low tech is harder to trace.

So I'm going to suggest you think of this another way. When they got that call, the police didn't know you from Adam. Every child abuser says they are innocent. So every complaint must be and should be investigated, and they can't give you notice of arriving. You are a good mother. Not everyone is. Be happy they care more about the safety of children than anyones feelings.

Thank you everyone for the comments. I will try to let this anger go. Nothing with the police etc is going any further it is just the initial hurt that someone could throw round these accusations

I had an anonymous report made against me to social services, they never told me who made the complaint but when I asked for a copy of the referral it contained enough information for me to work out who it was. I don’t think you will get the number tbh, malicious reports happen a lot you just have to let it go.

I know your post was a reeeally long time ago so a bit of a shot in the dark here if I even get a reply but I’m just wondering if you ended up taking any action against the person who did this to you? And how you’ve managed to move on?