WITH INFORMATION PROVIDED TO CRIMESTOPPERS HAVING RESULTED IN 152 ARRESTS AND CHARGES IN LEICESTERSHIRE LAST YEAR, WE LOOK AT WHAT THE CHARITY DOES AND WHY IT’S SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Crimestoppers UK is a charity helping to prevent and solve crimes. It has been established to allow the public to give information anonymously about crimes that affect their local community.
When crime takes place, Crimestoppers believe that anybody who knows those responsible should go to the police. However, many people who want to take action are close to the criminals and fear retribution. Crimestoppers offers them the secure means for them to get that information to the police, making their families and communities safer. Information can be provided either via a 24/7 hotline or on-line.
The Leicestershire & Rutland Crimestoppers Committee was formed 16 years ago, and it is one of the most active in the East Midlands region.
The work of the Committee has the support of Leicestershire Police as a strategic partner, but the Committee is fully independent of the police. The Committee comprises volunteers, with the support of a full time Crimestoppers Regional Manager. Full Committee meetings occur bi monthly and sub groups of the Committee support areas of work and campaigns targeting particular types of crimes.
The local efforts have had some impressive results recently when last year 152 arrests and charges were made in Leicestershire & Rutland based on information from Crimestoppers, and recently the hotline has been critical to the police raiding a number of cannabis factories in the area.
This year, based on advice from the police on current priorities, the local Committee is targeting a number of key areas of criminality. These are street crime in Belgrave Road area, burglaries of the accommodation of students arriving and leaving in 3 universities, handling stolen goods on the city’s estates, and domestic violence throughout the county.
Sue Witts, Vice Chairman of the Committee is leading the aim to get the message out about Crimestoppers, at events around the County. “There is sometimes a confused message out there about Crimestoppers, with some in our communities concerned that we are part of the police. So that is why it is important we are spreading the word at events across the county – Crimestoppers is here to help and provide an outlet, particularly for people living in fear.”
Crimestoppers is always looking for new volunteers, and if you have an interest in helping out, why not drop a line to the Regional Manager, Kiran Dhanda, at kiran.dhanda@crimestoppers–uk.org or on 07827 995358.
