The UK’s biggest crime-fighting charity, Crimestoppers, has achieved a significant personal best in its 21 year history by helping the police to solve a record number of murder cases across the UK in 2008/2009.
The charity’s end of year performance figures show that 85 people were charged with murder in the UK because of information passed to Crimestoppers.
This means one person every four days is removed from our streets for this crime.
There was more good news for Crimestoppers with an 11 per cent increase in arrests and charges due to our information across all crime categories which translate as 19 extra arrests every day across the UK.
Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Founder and Chair of Crimestoppers, said:
"When I helped set up the charity in 1988 it was with the intention of providing the police with vital intelligence to help solve crimes which they might not otherwise obtain. Our promise of safeguarding the identity of all our users has established Crimestoppers as being an essential piece of the crime-fighting jigsaw.
"Crimestoppers can only operate by working in partnership effectively which it has been doing so successfully with law enforcement and the media since it started. This vital three-way partnership pays testimony to these outstanding end-of-year results. Congratulations to all those concerned in helping to make our communities safer."
Chief Constable Ian Latimer of Northern Constabulary commends the charity for its success. He said:
"Crimestoppers plays a vital role in helping to bring offenders to justice. More and more people are coming forward to report crime and the proactive work of Crimestoppers has given the public reassurance that their calls will be responded to.
Crimestoppers is a great support to the work of the police in Scotland. Their appeals send an important message to the public that their continued help is a key part in solving crime and making our communities safer."
Jim Ferguson – Deputy Chair Crimestoppers Scotland
Jim Ferguson added:
"I am delighted to see Crimestoppers continue to make such great progress Nationally. As the Deputy Chair for Scotland and also Highlands and Islands Regional Chair I am confident we can make a significant contribution to lowering crime and protecting our communities across the country. We stand firmly in support of all the Police Forces across Scotland and will continue to tackle criminals in a robust and effective manner."
Crimestoppers operates the 24/7 0800 555 111 telephone number for people to pass on information about crimes anonymously. Information can also be passed via the charity’s website www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
ENDS
For further information contact Hannah Daws, Head of Communications on 020 8254 3230 / 07900 694904 or Hannah.daws@crimestoppers-uk.org .
Notes to editors
Crimestoppers is an independent charity which helps the police to solve crimes, making communities safer. It does this by operating the 24/7 telephone number 0800 555 111 which people can ring to pass on information about crimes anonymously. They can also use our ‘giving information’ form via our website www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Around19 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers.
One person every four days is charged with murder.
Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received over a million actionable calls, resulting in over 91,000 arrests and charges.
Over £167 million worth of property has been recovered and over £160 million worth of drugs. In 2006,
Crimestoppers launched the UK’s Most Wanted on its website which allows the public to view images of criminals and pass on vital information about their whereabouts.
It has been highly successful with over 500 arrests to date from 2.5 thousand appeals posted.
Crimestoppers UK was founded by Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Chairman of Trustees.
In 1988, he launched Crimestoppers in the Metropolitan Police area.
Crimestoppers ‘call to action’ is built on a three-way partnership between the business community, the police and the media.
In September 2007, Crimestoppers launched a youth website www.shadowcs.co.uk which allows young people to give information anonymously online.
Chair: Jim Ferguson
