Cash rewards of up to £1,000 are on offer for information leading to the arrest and charge of those committing burglary and handling stolen goods in Southend [15 December 2011]

In a crack down on burglary in Essex in the run up to Christmas, the independent charity Crimestoppers wants Southend residents to tell them what they know about burglary and who is handling stolen goods in their community. And callers won’t be identified - it’s what you know, not who you are.

Burglars raided 691 homes in Southend last year and 6849 homes across the whole of Essex during last year.

Ann Scott, Eastern Regional Manager for Crimestoppers, is urging anyone with information on burglaries or handling stolen goods, no matter how insignificant it might seem, to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or by using our online Giving Information Form.  

She said: “Being burgled is not just about losing possessions; it also robs you of feeling safe in your own home. People should be able to feel secure and confident in their own homes. Removing the market for stolen goods removes the incentive for the burglar to commit offences in the first place. No one has anything to fear by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers. You will remain 100% anonymous”.

She continued “Calls to the Crimestoppers" free phone number 0800 555 111 or secure forms sent via the website are anonymous. We never ask for your name and no personal information is taken. We do not trace your call or IP address and we do not our record calls. Those who give information do not have to give a statement to the police or go to court”.

Crimestoppers plays a major part in the fight against burglary and handling stolen goods. Last year information given to Crimestoppers led to 713 arrests over burglary, theft and handling stolen goods across the UK. In Essex there were 131 calls about burglary and theft.

Only calls made to 0800 555 111 will be eligible for a reward. Those giving information given via the Giving Information Form cannot claim a reward.

-ENDS-

For further information contact Ann Scott, Eastern Regional Manager on 07825 445720 or 01255 475954 or ann.scott@crimestoppers-uk.org

Notes to editors:

• Crimestoppers is an independent charity which helps the police to solve crimes, making communities safer. It does this by operating the 24/7 telephone number 0800 555 111 which people can ring to pass on information about crimes anonymously. They can also use our ‘giving information’ form via our website www.crimestoppers-uk.org
• Around 23 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers.
• Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received over a million actionable calls, resulting in over 108,000 arrests and charges. Over £115 million worth of goods has been recovered and over £213 million worth of drugs has been seized.
• In 2005, Crimestoppers launched the UK’s Most Wanted on its website which allows the public to view images of criminals and pass on vital information about their whereabouts. It has been highly successful with over 1,000 arrests to date.
• Crimestoppers UK was founded by Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Chairman of Trustees. In 1988, he launched Crimestoppers in the Metropolitan Police area. Crimestoppers’ ‘call to action’ is built on a three-way partnership between the business community, the police and the media.