Record results in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

[17th April 2008]

Figures released for the year to the end of March 2008 show that arrests resulting from calls about crime in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to the charity Crimestoppers have increased by 29%.

At the same time, calls – which are all made under the protection of anonymity – have increased by 20% to a record 1,777.

"Traditionally Crimestoppers estimates that on average the ratio of calls to arrests is 7.5%", says Simon Theobalds, the charity's projects co-ordinator in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. "However our ratio in Hampshire last year was 12.6% and on this year's figures it has risen to 13.5%. The story behind the figures is the steadily growing value of Crimestoppers information to the police and the reporting back to us of the actions they have taken."

Chief Constable, Paul Kernaghan of Hampshire Constabulary adds "These are excellent results. As the embedding of Safer Neighbourhood's develops, the public are becoming more conscious that fighting crime is everybody's concern and working in partnership with the community is proving invaluable. The Force's detection rates have risen significantly this year, and Crimestoppers information has certainly assisted in achieving such positive results. "

"Crimestoppers has really proved a huge success this year," says PC Simon Wright, the Force Crimestoppers Co-ordinator who compiles the figures and runs the Crimestoppers Most Wanted website for Hampshire Constabulary. "There have been a number of targeted campaigns which have produced flurries of information in areas of specific interest, such as the Daily Echo's Christmas campaign and drink/drive offences. The Most Wanted web site has also led to huge interest in Crimestoppers, with several million hits each month".

Local businesses and the media continue to support Crimestoppers which is invaluable in getting the Crimestoppers message to the community, and helps to make Hampshire and the Isle of Wight an even better place to live, work and visit.

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight board published their first full results last year for 2006/07 which recorded 186 arrests from 1476 calls. The figures for 07/08 show 240 arrests from 1,777 calls.

The figures will have been influenced by the launch of local web pages on the Crimestoppers site earlier this year and the growing volume of publicity material in circulation resulting from campaigns. 50,000 new Crimestoppers calling cards have just been distributed to the Neighbourhood Policing teams across the Force.

To give information about crime anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or fill out our secure online Giving Information Form.

For further information about Crimestoppers' results in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, contact Simon Theobalds on 07899 911 579.