Being a good citizen in UK and Hillingdon
Summary of sections: 
- About Hillingdon (including map of Hillingdon)
- Hillingdon Council and what it is for
- Rule of Law (including information on police and courts)
- Safeguarding (your security, information on the Home Office, etc)
- Democracy and the political system in UK (all about the government, elections, voting, etc)
- Citizenship and EU Settlement status for those affected by BREXIT
- Census collection (and how we can help you fill in this form)
3. Rule of Law
Rule of Law (including information on police and courts)
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
We hope that you will not come into contact with the Criminal Justice System (CJS) but it is worth knowing the basics of how things work in the UK.
The CJS is made up of bodies such as the police, the courts and the Crown Prosecution Service.
The CJS website is the best way to find out what happens. If you want more information, click the link below:
POLICE IN THE UK
The police in the UK are responsible for keeping law and order.
If you are arrested or charged with a crime, the police will tell you the reason for your arrest. You have the right to free legal advice from a solicitor at the police station, and the right to send a message to a friend or family member.
The power to stop and search people can help the police to detect crime and make your community safer.
‘Stop and search’ is when a police officer stops and searches you, your clothes, your vehicle, or anything you are carrying. You can ask for the name of the officer who has stopped you, the police station where he/she is based, and the reason for the search.
Click for more information: Police-powers-to-stop-and-search-your-rights
You should call the police if you have a car accident in which someone is hurt, if you are the victim of a crime or a witness to a crime.
Contacting the police
In an emergency you call 999.
Call 101 for non-emergency enquiries.
For the website: Met police UK
If you're deaf or hard of hearing, you can use the textphone service 18000 or text on 999 but you must pre-register with the emergency SMS service.
- Your area has a Safer Neighbourhood Team who help with local problems (noise, graffiti, anti-social behaviour, providing independent scrutiny to policing and influencing crime solutions).