UK crime-fighting charity, Crimestoppers, today launched a new regional committee covering the Cleveland area. The committee, called Cleveland Crimestoppers, is the 41st around the UK and the first County Committee in the north-east.
Cleveland Crimestoppers will work closely with police and media to promote Crimestoppers’ 0800 555 111 phone number through which people can pass information about crime anonymously. Calls are not traced or recorded and no personal details of the caller are taken. This means people who pass on information will never have to give a statement or go to court. People can also pass information to the charity anonymously through their website, www.crimestopper-uk.org.
From April to September 2009 Crimestoppers received 462 pieces of information about crimes in Cleveland. The number of crimes solved in Cleveland as a result of Crimestoppers information was up 186% compared with the same period last year.
Cleveland used to be covered by North East Crimestoppers, which is splitting up into a number of smaller and more localised committees. Dave Hunter Regional Manager said “Historically the North East had a committee, which worked very well, but as people get more time poor, it became increasingly difficult to maintain a Regional structure. The new Cleveland Committee represents local people delivering local impact in their own communities”.
Dave Hunter went on to say “Can you imagine the power of engaging the entire community in the fight against crime. Members of the community can ring us on 0800 555 111, with no fear of their identity being revealed, and give vital information to help defeat those who would blight our lives”.
Mick Laurie, Chief Executive of Crimestoppers, said: “The launch of Cleveland Crimestoppers is exciting for both the charity and Cleveland residents. The new committee will work to raise funds and awareness of the charity and remind residents of the vital service it offers. By passing on information to Crimestoppers anonymously, residents can help take dangerous criminals off the streets and make their community safer.
“Crimestoppers has already had a very successful six months in the north east – the charity has received over 460 pieces of useful information about crime in Cleveland since April 2009. Hopefully the creation of Cleveland Crimestoppers will encourage more people to pass on vital information about the crimes that affect them, in Cleveland, anonymously.”
Added Cleveland Police Authority Chair, Councillor Dave McLuckie, who was at today’s launch of the new committee, “The crucial role played by Crimestoppers and the volunteers involved in their work is demonstrated by the impressive increase in the crimes which have been solved thanks to information which has come through their organisation.
“Tackling crime and disorder is something the police cannot tackle alone and nowadays we work with many different partners. Of course the most important partners of all are the members of the public whose support is vital—whether working directly with our Neighbourhood Policing teams or through Crimestoppers.”
Chief Constable of Cleveland Police Sean Price said “Crimestoppers is a valuable tool in our fight against crime. Members of the public can help us to solve more crimes and arrest more criminals by providing us with information – anonymously if they wish. They may also be eligible for a reward for their help. It’s important that local communities continue to show their support and keep the calls coming in.”
Crimestoppers is much more than just a phone number, its Most Wanted website is proving tom be very successful with over 600 people arrested to date, and its youth web-site www.shadowcs.co.uk is proving to be a very popular site with thousands of hits each month.
CAPTION: Pictured at today’s launch are (from left to right) Dave Hunter, Crimestoppers Regional Manager; Ron Gordon MBE. Education Other Than At School; Jayne Villiers, Cleveland Police; Ann Howard, Stockton Neighbourhood Watch; Councillor Barbara Dunne. Middlesbrough Council;Kaz Kerr, Cleveland Police; Sean Price, Cleveland Police, Chief Constable;Pam Andrews-Mawer Cleveland Police Authority and Cleveland Crimestoppers Chair; Karen Shields, Middlesbrough Town Centre Management and Cleveland Crimestoppers Vice Chair;Councillor Dave McLuckie, Cleveland Police Authority Chair.