Crimestoppers passed on 15 “actionable” pieces of criminal intelligence to Tayside Police every week last year proving the worth of the confidential 0800 555 111 information line.
Anonymous tip-offs were provided on drugs-related crimes, assault, drink-drivers and other road traffic offenders. In all 20 alleged criminals were arrested and the calls led to the seizure of drugs and property with a street value of £10,000.
Crimestoppers is an independent UK-wide charity run by volunteers that encourages people to contact them anonymously with details of crimes or suspicious activity. This is passed to the police without the details of the caller being divulged.
The information can lead the police directly to an arrest or can provide the vital link in a chain of investigation that can see a suspect apprehended.
Verified figures for the 11 months to November show that in Tayside Crimestoppers passed on an average of 15 “actionable” pieces of intelligence those believed strong enough to lead to a charge or arrest – to police every week.
Some 485 intelligence logs were conveyed on drug-related crimes and 13 relating to assault.
Calls to Crimestoppers also helped to keep Tayside’s roads safer 62 messages were received and passed on about drink-drivers, 35 on disqualified drivers and 10 for other road traffic offences.
As a result of information to Crimestoppers, 20 alleged offenders were arrested in the 11-month period, while calls also led to the seizure of drugs and property with a street value of £10,000.
Scottish manager Kate Johnston said, “Crimestoppers is a safe way to pass on information about crime as it is completely anonymous. Calls are never traced or recorded and we never ask for a caller’s identity.
“It’s a safe conduit for passing information to the police and other law enforcement agencies.”
She added, “Scotland Crimestoppers thanks the public for helping to make our communities safer.”
People can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or give information online, where the sender’s IP address cannot be traced.