CRIMESTOPPERS IS A SUCCESS STORY!

Since Crimestoppers inception in the UK in 1988 to 2001, Crimestoppers has received over 392,000 calls leading to over 36,600 arrests and the recovery of property valued at £49 million. Each arrest costs Crimestoppers Trust £200 and there is an average of 14 arrests every day. On average, each week there are 44 arrests for drug offences and one for murder or attempted murder.

For people who might possess vital information, Crimestoppers creates an opportunity for them to come forward, without fearing reprisals. The anonymity is the key to the success of the scheme. Individuals calling are not required to identify themselves. Whatever the case, Crimestoppers guarantees complete anonymity to people who call the single nation-wide 'freephone' number, 0800 555 111.

Independent research has shown that nearly two thirds of the offenders exposed by Crimestoppers were unknown to the police, or not suspected of the crime in question.

If information given to Crimestoppers results in the arrest and charge of a suspect, the caller may be entitled to a reward, paid anonymously without prejudice to the caller. Only six out of every one hundred callers to Crimestoppers actually ask for a reward.

Crimestoppers helps to empower the community and assists in the reduction of crime in our society. We work together with the community to harness public support in the fight against crime.


RECENT SUCCESSES:

Vital Information
Some calls to Crimestoppers do not necessarily result in arrest and charge, but lead to successful results or the prevention of serious crimes. One such call led to the identification of a criminal who was about to commit an armed robbery on a vulnerable sub-post office. Sufficient information given by the caller enabled them to alert the post office and led the police to the criminal in question, thus preventing a major crime or potential injuries.

Assault
A 71 year old woman was dragged from her bed, indecently assaulted and bundled into a cupboard. Four hours later, she dared to come out and call the police. After seeing a Crimestoppers appeal in the local press, a member of the public identified the attacker. He was sent to prison for ten years.

Firearms Offence
Crimestoppers received information about a man in possession of a sawn-off shotgun. His premises were searched, the weapon found, and the man admitted possessing the firearm with intent to endanger life.

Murderers caught
As four offenders fled the scene of an armed robbery, they shot & injured a police officer. Two of the men were captured but the police did not know the identities of the remaining two. A caller to Crimestoppers gave precise details (not previously known to the media) about the offence & one of the missing offenders. As a result, a man was arrested & charged with offences of attempted murder & armed robbery.

Making Your Call

1. When you call 0800 555 111, we protect your identity by putting in place the following policies:

* No-one will ask for your name or telephone number.
* You will not need to visit a police station.
* Your telephone call is not recorded.
* Your telephone number is not traced.

2. So, what happens when you actually make a call to Crimestoppers? Your call is then directed to the closest Crimestoppers call centre, where an operator will take the relevant information. If you wish to call back at any time, you will be given a unique code. You will not be required to give your name or to visit a police station.

3. Police will research the information which may be used to help catch and to solve crimes.
You may be entitled to a reward. If so, you will be asked to call back later and use your unique code. Your name and whereabouts are not important and you will not get asked for
this information.

To find out more about Crimestoppers, visit their website at
http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/