Introduction

Defence Serious Crime Unit (DSCU): Who we are and what we do

The DSCU is part of the Defence Serious Crime Command (DSCC) within the Ministry of Defence.

Following several independent reviews, the DSCU was formed to replace the Special Investigation Branches (SIB).

WorkingThe closely with other parts of the Service Justice System, including the Victim Witness Care Unit, Service Prosecuting Authority and Military Court Service, the DSCU consists of investigators and specialist teams from across the Royal Navy, Army,Army and Royal Air Force. This includes regulars and reservists,reserves who are supported by civil servants and contracted colleagues.

The DSCU works closely with other components of the Service Justice System including the Victim Witness Care Unit, Service Prosecuting Authority and Military Court Service.

What thedoes DSCU investigatesinvestigate?

The DSCU has the jurisdiction to investigate the most serious and complex crimes alleged to have been committed by persons subject to service law,law in both the UK and abroad.overseas, including sexual offences, domestic abuse and offences of violence.

Locations

The DSCU HQ(HQ) is based at Bulford,Bulford withand multiplethere are various sub-units based around the UK and abroad.overseas.

Specialist teamsTeams

The DSCU has threeseveral specialist teams:

• Special Response Team - with officers trained to handledeal with serious sexual offences and incidents involving children, ensuring victims are safeguarded, supported,supported and referred to support organisations.

• Operations Team - a high state of readiness team prepared to deploy globally,globally with specially trained officers,officers in response to reports of serious crime.

• Major InvestigationsInvestigation Team - trained to deal with Critical Incident Management and larger major crime investigations.

Reporting a crime

If you or someone else are in immediate danger in the UK,UK or you need support right away, call 999.

How to make silent 999 calls

From a mobile phone

If you are in danger and you can’t speaktalk, oryou answershould questions,follow youthese should:instructions:

• call 999 from a mobile phone
• if you can’t speak or answer questions, press 55 when prompted and your call will be transferred to the police

Pressing 55 only works on mobiles and doesn’t allow the police to track your location.

If you don’t press 55,55 your call will be ended.

From a landline

If you are in danger but you can’t speaktalk, or answer questions, you should callfollow 999.these instructions:

Where

• call 999 from a landline
• if you can’t speak or answer questions and the operator can only hear background noise, they’ll transfer your call to the police.
  police

If you replace the handset, the landline may remain connected for 45 seconds,seconds in case you pick it up again.

Calling 999 from a landline automatically gives the police information about your location.

Hearing or speech impairments

If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use the textphone service 18000,18000 or text 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergency SMS service.

Contact the Service Police

ToIf you wish to report a crime, whether in the UK or abroad,overseas, or if you just want to speak to the Service Police:Police, you can contact us in one of the following ways:

• call the Service Police Crime BureauBureau, ontelephone 02392 285 170 or 033102392 145285 7630180
• Service Police confidential crime line, telephone 0800 085 0658
• report through your Chain of Command
• attend or call a local Service Police stationPolice station. -To find your most local Service Police station, please contact the Service Police Crime Bureau who will be able to provideassist.

Fraud locationDefence andconfidential contacthotline

Fraud details Defence confidential hotline – telephone 0800 161 3665 (UK) or +44 1480 44 638 (Overseas).

Crimestoppers

If you are serving abroad, you must use the online information form to contact Crimestoppers. This will ensure your anonymity.  

If you are in the UK, you can contact Crimestoppers by:by: 

• calling 0800 555 111 at any time of day or night
• completing the the online information form on the on the Crimestoppers website – – the form is completely secure and designed to protect your anonymity

If you are serving abroad, you must use the online information form to contact Crimestoppers. This will ensure your anonymity.

Fraud Defence confidential hotline

Call the Fraud Defence confidential hotline on 0800 161 3665 (UK) or +44 1480 44 638 (overseas).

Make a complaintComplaint

To make a complaint about the DSCU, contact the Professional Standards DepartmentDepartment: at People-DSCC-PSDMailbox@mod.gov.uk

Make an FOI request

Please visit the Ministry of Defence homepage,homepage where guidance can be found under the ‘make an FOI request’.request’ section.

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Related information

Defence Serious Crime Command

Victim Witness Care Unit

Clare’s Law - a police policy giving people the right to know if their current or ex-partner has any previous history of violence or abuse.

Find rape and sexual assault referral centres services (NHS)

The Armed Forces code of practice for victims of crime (JSP 839)

Manual of service law (MSL)

Your rights if you are accused (manual of service law: JSP 830)

The Military Court Service

Service Prosecuting Authority

SERVE - Find Forces Jobs