Canberrans can now report theft and lost property to the police online.

ACT Chief Police Officer Scott Lee said online reporting had freed up police resources, which allowed officers to focus on significant and time-critical matters by handling non-urgent incidents online.

Since June 2023, when the community was able to report property damage and vandalism and then dangerous driving in May 2024, police have received more than 3600 online reports.

“The portal has enhanced situational awareness for responding police due to consistent available information from the online report and triage process, also reducing time for officers to complete incident information within the case management system,” he said.

“I also want to assure the community they will receive the same level of service from ACT Policing, however they choose to report an incident.”

The expanded capability would now allow incidents such as retail theft (eg theft of clothes or alcohol from a retail outlet) and personal theft (eg theft of tools from the tray of a vehicle or a bike theft) to be reported to the police via the website. Lost property such as mobile phones or wallets could now also be reported online.

Once a report was received via the portal, the same standard of service was applied with all submissions undergoing the same triage and assessment process as other reporting channels.

Following submission, a response acknowledging receipt of a report would be sent, followed by an assessment outcome within 48 hours. If a report was accepted, the assessment would include a reference number, which could be used when contacting police in relation to an incident.

The online reporting excludes the reporting of the items below which can still be reported by calling 131444, or by going to a local police station:

• Firearms, ammunition and firearm parts.
• Property stolen during a burglary (building unlawfully entered/broken into to have the property stolen).
• Theft of a motor vehicle or vehicle number plates.

Additional forms available on the portal include reporting of property damage, dangerous driving, historic sexual assaults, petrol drive offs and Crime Stoppers.

The online services portal can be accessed here.