How long does it take to get a crime reference number after reporting a crime?

Last night, my phone was stolen in a nightclub. I reported the crime as soon as I got home, in the early hours of the morning. In order to get a new phone via insurance (which I obviously want as soon as possible), I believe I need a crime reference number. Obviiiously it varies massively depending on a number of factors, but I was just wondering if anyone who's reported a crime before could tell me how long it takes to get your crime reference number through?

I know that's a vague question, but at the moment I don't know whether I'm likely to be waiting a few hours or like a week, so any indication is beneficial.

As others have said online, phone or in person you tend to receive the crime reference number straight away especially on the phone the make a point of ensuring they give the crime reference number and sometimes even texting the reference after the call.

I would contact the police force you contacted and asking for the reference number again. Its usually starts with the date the incident was reported.

That's a CAD number, not a crime reference. A CAD is generated when you call the police. It does not mean a crime has taken place or that a crime report has been taken. A Crime Reference number is only generated when someone from the police has taken your account of what has occurred, determined that a crime has actually taken place and then taken the details of the property, venue, victim(s) etc. It should be a string of numbers followed by the year - although this can vary by force. Usually something like 1234567/23. There might be two letters at the front denoting the division within the force area in which the crime took place.

That's a CAD number, not a crime reference. A CAD is generated when you call the police. It does not mean a crime has taken place or that a crime report has been taken. A Crime Reference number is only generated when someone from the police has taken your account of what has occurred, determined that a crime has actually taken place and then taken the details of the property, venue, victim(s) etc. It should be a string of numbers followed by the year - although this can vary by force. Usually something like 1234567/23. There might be two letters at the front denoting the division within the force area in which the crime took place.