The police & family courts — what the police do in family proceedings
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-27
What the police do in family matters
The police are involved in family cases more often than people expect:
- 999 / 101 — emergencies and non-emergency crime, including domestic abuse
- Bail checks / Domestic Violence Protection Notices & Orders (DVPNs/DVPOs) — immediate short-term protection where an abuser is removed from a home for up to 28 days
- Disclosure to Cafcass — when you apply (C100) or a FL401 is issued, Cafcass checks police records as part of safeguarding; what is on file matters
- Criminal charges for abuse run separately from family proceedings, but a conviction or caution is strong evidence in the family court
How this fits your family court case
- Report abuse: it creates the official record that family courts and legal aid assessors look for (see our legal aid guide)
- If police were involved, get the crime reference number — Cafcass, legal aid and the court will ask for it
- A DVPO can bridge the gap while you apply for a FL401 non-molestation order
Emergency and non-emergency
- 999 — immediate danger
- 101 — non-emergency reporting and advice
- Action Fraud: 0300 123 2040 — fraud and cyber crime (including online harassment)
Official links
- https://www.gov.uk/report-domestic-abuse
- https://www.police.uk
This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory and is not affiliated with the police or gov.uk.
Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.