The independent charity Crimestoppers has announced the appointment of a new Chairman for Crimestoppers Scotland [28 September 2011]

Bill Matthews is a former senior executive with Motorola in Scotland, who subsequently spent a number of years in the SME sector. He now holds a number of non-executive positions, with significant experience in the Criminal Justice sector. He will take up the Crimestoppers post on 1st November.

A Chartered Engineer and Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Bill holds an MBA together with first degrees in Electronics and Psychology. He served as a non-executive director in Scottish Government for six years, holding Audit Chair positions in a number of departments, including the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

Bill steps down from a five year term as a board member of the Scottish Police Services Authority in December 2011, where he has chaired both H.R. and Audit Committees. He is a public member of Network Rail, and in January 2011 became the National Trustee for Scotland of the BBC Trust. He is the Scottish member of the board of the Security Industry Authority, and Chair of NHS National Services Scotland, a provider of National and shared services to NHS Scotland.

Speaking of his appointment, Mr Matthews said, ““I am delighted to be joining Crimestoppers as their volunteer Chair for Scotland – throughout my time in the public sector in Scotland I have been impressed by the significant contribution this charity makes to the criminal justice system”

Kate Jackson National Manager for Scotland Crimestoppers said,” We are delighted to welcome Bill to Crimestoppers at a time when there has been a record number of arrests thanks to the information given by members of the public.

Calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 is a safe way you can help fight crime and make your community safer. Because contacting the charity is completely anonymous, no one will ever know you called. Information can also be passed on using the online giving information form where your IP address is untraceable”.

Further information
Kate Jackson, National Manager, M 07760 558152 / kate.jackson@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 21 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers. One person every nine days is charged with murder.
• Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received over 1.2 million actionable calls, resulting in over 100,000 arrests and charges. Over £114 million worth of property has been recovered and over £202 million worth of drugs.
• 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.