diff --git a/AUTHORS.md b/AUTHORS.md
index 7252e39304..282b944817 100644
--- a/AUTHORS.md
+++ b/AUTHORS.md
@@ -173,6 +173,7 @@ Programmers
     vocollapse
     Yohaulticetl
     zelurker
+    James Carty (MrTopCat)
 
 Documentation
 -------------
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aisequence.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aisequence.cpp
index 753dc240ed..b64b3568f8 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aisequence.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aisequence.cpp
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 #include "aicombataction.hpp"
 #include "aipursue.hpp"
 #include "actorutil.hpp"
+#include "../mwworld/class.hpp"
 
 namespace MWMechanics
 {
@@ -122,6 +123,20 @@ bool AiSequence::isInCombat() const
     return false;
 }
 
+bool AiSequence::isEngagedWithActor() const
+{
+    for (std::list<AiPackage *>::const_iterator it = mPackages.begin(); it != mPackages.end(); ++it)
+    {
+        if ((*it)->getTypeId() == AiPackage::TypeIdCombat)
+        {
+            MWWorld::Ptr target2 = (*it)->getTarget();
+            if (!target2.isEmpty() && target2.getClass().isNpc())
+                return true;
+        }
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
 bool AiSequence::hasPackage(int typeId) const
 {
     for (std::list<AiPackage*>::const_iterator it = mPackages.begin(); it != mPackages.end(); ++it)
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aisequence.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aisequence.hpp
index 5c72bcc4ca..4d0482a985 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aisequence.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/aisequence.hpp
@@ -88,6 +88,9 @@ namespace MWMechanics
             /// Is there any combat package?
             bool isInCombat () const;
 
+            /// Are we in combat with any other actor, who's also engaging us?
+            bool isEngagedWithActor () const;
+
             /// Does this AI sequence have the given package type?
             bool hasPackage(int typeId) const;
 
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.cpp
index e9915397a1..83bdb2258d 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.cpp
@@ -1462,24 +1462,11 @@ namespace MWMechanics
             }
         }
 
-        // Attacking an NPC that is already in combat with any other NPC is not a crime
-        AiSequence& seq = statsTarget.getAiSequence();
-        bool isFightingNpc = false;
-        for (std::list<AiPackage*>::const_iterator it = seq.begin(); it != seq.end(); ++it)
-        {
-            if ((*it)->getTypeId() == AiPackage::TypeIdCombat)
-            {
-                MWWorld::Ptr target2 = (*it)->getTarget();
-                if (!target2.isEmpty() && target2.getClass().isNpc())
-                    isFightingNpc = true;
-            }
-        }
-
-        if (target.getClass().isNpc() && !attacker.isEmpty() && !seq.isInCombat(attacker)
-                && !isAggressive(target, attacker) && !isFightingNpc
-                && !target.getClass().getCreatureStats(target).getAiSequence().hasPackage(AiPackage::TypeIdPursue))
+        if (canCommitCrimeAgainst(target, attacker))
             commitCrime(attacker, target, MWBase::MechanicsManager::OT_Assault);
 
+        AiSequence& seq = statsTarget.getAiSequence();
+
         if (!attacker.isEmpty() && (attacker.getClass().getCreatureStats(attacker).getAiSequence().isInCombat(target)
                                     || attacker == getPlayer())
                 && !seq.isInCombat(attacker))
@@ -1506,6 +1493,14 @@ namespace MWMechanics
         return true;
     }
 
+    bool MechanicsManager::canCommitCrimeAgainst(const MWWorld::Ptr &target, const MWWorld::Ptr &attacker)
+    {
+        MWMechanics::AiSequence seq = target.getClass().getCreatureStats(target).getAiSequence();
+        return target.getClass().isNpc() && !attacker.isEmpty() && !seq.isInCombat(attacker)
+                && !isAggressive(target, attacker) && !seq.isEngagedWithActor()
+                && !target.getClass().getCreatureStats(target).getAiSequence().hasPackage(AiPackage::TypeIdPursue);
+    }
+
     void MechanicsManager::actorKilled(const MWWorld::Ptr &victim, const MWWorld::Ptr &attacker)
     {
         if (attacker.isEmpty() || victim.isEmpty())
@@ -1518,11 +1513,10 @@ namespace MWMechanics
             return; // TODO: implement animal rights
 
         const MWMechanics::NpcStats& victimStats = victim.getClass().getNpcStats(victim);
-        if (victimStats.getCrimeId() == -1)
-            return;
+        const MWWorld::Ptr &player = getPlayer();
+        bool canCommit = attacker == player && canCommitCrimeAgainst(victim, attacker);
 
         // For now we report only about crimes of player and player's followers
-        const MWWorld::Ptr &player = getPlayer();
         if (attacker != player)
         {
             std::set<MWWorld::Ptr> playerFollowers;
@@ -1531,6 +1525,9 @@ namespace MWMechanics
                 return;
         }
 
+        if (!canCommit && victimStats.getCrimeId() == -1)
+            return;
+
         // Simple check for who attacked first: if the player attacked first, a crimeId should be set
         // Doesn't handle possible edge case where no one reported the assault, but in such a case,
         // for bystanders it is not possible to tell who attacked first, anyway.
diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.hpp
index 676a75cafb..8c8a9e68f9 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwmechanics/mechanicsmanagerimp.hpp
@@ -132,6 +132,12 @@ namespace MWMechanics
             /// @note No-op for non-player attackers
             virtual void actorKilled (const MWWorld::Ptr& victim, const MWWorld::Ptr& attacker);
 
+            /// Checks if commiting a crime is currently valid
+            /// @param victim The actor being attacked
+            /// @param attacker The actor commiting the crime
+            /// @return true if the victim is a valid target for crime
+            virtual bool canCommitCrimeAgainst(const MWWorld::Ptr& victim, const MWWorld::Ptr& attacker);
+
             /// Utility to check if taking this item is illegal and calling commitCrime if so
             /// @param container The container the item is in; may be empty for an item in the world
             virtual void itemTaken (const MWWorld::Ptr& ptr, const MWWorld::Ptr& item, const MWWorld::Ptr& container,