Residents rally to help fight crime (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Residents rally to help fight crime

GLOUCESTERSHIRE's Crimestoppers initiative has seen a record number of offenders arrested over the past year as the public has helped police tackle drug-related crimes in particular.

New figures released for 2005/06 showed a total of 1,005 actionable calls, 32 per cent of which were connected to drug-related crime, and 89 arrests - equivalent to one person being arrested and charged every four days as a result of information passed via the 0800 555 111 anonymous hotline.

Darren Stevens, board member of Gloucestershire Crimestoppers, said: "More than 1,000 members of the public took the time to call the Crimestoppers number and pass information on crime, which they might not have given otherwise. These people deserve thanks as they are a silent army joining the police in the fight against crime in Gloucestershire.

"In addition, the support we have had from businesses and other organisations, particularly the media, in 2005/06 has been invaluable.

"Of course, the unique anonymity that Crimestoppers offers means that we don't know the identity of the people who have rung us and played such an important part in the figures."

The national charity has seen changes over the past year including the opening of the national 24/7 Bureau, which gave Gloucestershire the opportunity to have the telephone line answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Gloucestershire board chairman Jamie Eykyn said: "The Home Office has supported this round the clock initiative as they recognised the scope for improvements to our service lay in addressing our limited hours of operation. We know that many calls were made to the 0800 555 111 number at times when there was no one available to answer them. The 24/7 is a vital part of our strategy of continuing to help make our streets and communities safer for everyone"

The Most Wanted website www.mostwanted-uk.org launched in November has already received over 21 million hits nationwide. The site was developed because there was no one place for the police to share information with the public about wanted suspected criminals. Gloucestershire Crimestoppers celebrated 10 years operation in the county in July 2005. Since the scheme was introduced it has received over 10,250 actionable calls, made 832 arrests and recovered over £545,905 worth of goods and drugs.