If you are unfortunate to be a victim of crime whilst in Qatar and are able to do so you should immediately contact the Police (999 or 112 from a mobile phone) and explain your situation. Having informed the police you should phone the British Embassy and ask to speak to the Pro Consul. In case of emergencies outside of working hours please call +974 496 2000 and you will be transferred to the Foreign Office Global Response Centre.

What we can do to help

We can give general information about local police and legal procedures. We can’t give you legal advice, but can put you in touch with a local lawyer.

If you need medical treatment, we can help you to contact a local doctor.

Contacting friends and relatives

If you want us to, we can contact your relatives and friends and let them know what has happened. In some cases, we can offer financial assistance. 

We cannot collect evidence or investigate crimes ourselves, and in many countries investigating authorities and the courts will refuse to answer enquiries from other people and organisations, including our staff.

Local lawyer

So, you should consider appointing a local lawyer who can look after your interests in court, and follow any trial for you. We can give you a list of local English-speaking lawyers. We would not ordinarily attend a court case involving a British national and cannot influence the outcome of any trial.

Back in the UK, you may feel you would benefit from extra support to help you cope with the effects of the crime. Organisations such as Victim Support can help.

We have also produced a leaflet called  Victims of crime abroad  [PDF 329KB, new window] which offers more detailed information. 

What we can do to help

• provide you with a list of local lawyers and interpreters
• help you to contact a local doctor if you need medical treatment
• contact your relatives and friends to let them know what has happened
• provide information on how you can safely transfer money from relatives or friends
• in an emergency we can cash a sterling cheque up to £100, with a valid banker’s card into local currency. There will be a charge for this service

What we can’t

• give you legal advice
• collect evidence or investigate crimes, or influence the outcome of a trial
• assist with travel costs if you are asked to attend a trail abroad as a victim or witness
• provide general financial help, except in very exceptional circumstances

In such cases we will provide a loan from public funds to help you return to the UK. You will have to sign an agreement to repay this loan in full. You will usually have to secure the loan by giving up your passport to us. We will then issue you with an emergency, single journey travel document. Your passport will only be return upon full repayment of the loan and the cost of issuing the emergency travel document.

If you are a victim of theft:

report any incidences of theft to the local police. You will need a police statement to claim against your travel insurance
remember to cancel any credit cards or travellers cheques.