Defence Serious Crime Unit (DSCU)

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

Working 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, and Royal Air Force. This includes regulars and reservists, supported by civil servants and contracted colleagues.

What the DSCU investigates

The DSCU has jurisdiction to investigate the most serious and complex crimes alleged to have been committed by persons subject to service law, in the UK and abroad.

Locations

DSCU HQ is based at Bulford, with multiple sub-units based around the UK and abroad.

Specialist teams

The DSCU has three specialist teams:

Special Response - with officers trained to handle serious sexual offences and incidents involving children, ensuring victims are safeguarded, supported, and referred to support organisations.
Operations - a high state of readiness team prepared to deploy globally, with specially trained officers, in response to reports of serious crime.
Major Investigations - 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, 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 speak or answer questions, you should:

call 999
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, your call will be ended.

From a landline

If you are in danger but can’t speak or answer questions, you should call 999.

Where the operator can only hear background noise, they’ll transfer your call to the police.

If you replace the handset, the landline may remain connected for 45 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, or text 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergency SMS service.

Contact the Service Police

To report a crime, whether in the UK or abroad, or to speak to the Service Police:

call the Service Police Crime Bureau on 02392 285 170 or 02392 285 180
call the Service Police confidential crime line on 0800 085 0658
report through your Chain of Command
attend or call a local Service Police station - the Service Police Crime Bureau will be able to provide location and contact details

Crimestoppers

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

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