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The Origins

In other parts of this section of BEST Advice, we have looked at how to prevent crime happening and how to stop you and your family becoming the victims of crime. But what do you do if you aren't the victim, but you know something about a crime that could help the Police catch the people responsible? If you have information on a crime, any crime, you can now pass it on totally anonymously, using Crimestoppers.

Crimestoppers actually began in 1976 following a robbery at a petrol station in Albuquerque, New Mexico. An employee at the petrol station was killed during the robbery, but a protracted Police investigation failed to come up with any solid leads as the identity of the killers. The lead Detective was convinced the offenders were local and obtained money from local businesses to offer a $1,000 reward but assured the public that any caller would remain totally anonymous. Within 72 hours the killers vehicle had been found, and two men were subsequently arrested, charged and convicted of the murder.

Nine years later in 1985, we saw some of the worst riots ever to happen in mainland Britain when violence flared on the Broadwater Farm Estate in London and a Metropolitan Police Officer, PC Keith Blakelock was hacked to death by a mob armed with knives and machetes. Many people with information were simply too frightened to come forward and this led to a business man offering the Police money to use a reward for people helping to find PC Blakelock's killers.

That businessman, Lord Ashcroft, expanded his idea and founded the Community Action Trust, which in 1995 was renamed "Crimestoppers."

What is Crimestoppers?

Crimestoppers is a registered charity and since its inception, it has helped the Police solve thousands of cases, ranging from drug offences, violent crime and persistent drink drivers to armed robberies and murders. In fact 40 arrests for murder have been made since April 2009 based on information received via Crimestoppers

Any information Crimestoppers receive is always treated as ANONYMOUS.

Information you give could qualify you for a reward of up to £1,000

On their website Crimestoppers say:

• Anonymous means that your name is not known or made public
• They will NEVER ask for your name
• Your telephone call will not be recorded
• Your call, or if you use the on-line reporting system, will not be traced
• You will not have to make a statement to the Police
• You will not have to appear in Court

The fact that they realise the importance of their guarantee never to ask for a caller's name as it makes it easier for people to come forward, helps to break the silence around criminal activity and removes peoples fear.

Finally, they say that their guarantee of anonymity has NEVER been broken.

You can contact Crimestoppers by calling this free number:

or by visiting their website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Even if you don't want to give information the Crimestoppers website is well worth a visit as it contains a wealth of information about crime in your area, crime prevention and it also provides links to several other good crime prevention sites.