Best-selling crime novelist Peter James has handed over a pair of golden handcuffs to Southern Water, in recognition of the company joining Sussex Crimestoppers’ new Golden Handcuff Club.

Sussex Crimestoppers is the regional branch of the independent charity Crimestoppers. The Golden Handcuff Club has been set up to enable local businesses and organisations to play a key role in helping to reduce crime in the county.

This unique club provides organisations with the opportunity to both show their commitment to the communities of Sussex and to help maintain the vital work of the charity.

Kathy Burke, Chair of Sussex Crimestoppers, explained: “Sussex Crimestoppers plays an important role in bringing Sussex together.  In our case, we link together Sussex Police, local businesses and organisations and the wider community, with the aim of keeping Sussex safe.”

Julie Carly, Communications Manager for Southern Water’s metering programme, said: “Southern Water is working closely with Sussex Police and Sussex Crimestoppers to help prevent and tackle bogus callers - people who trick their way into people’s homes by posing as one of our staff or staff from another utility company. This work is particularly important around our ongoing programme to install water meters for our customers across the county.”

Peter James, co-patron of Sussex Crimestoppers, said: "It is fantastic that Southern Water is supporting Sussex Crimestoppers.  Their support is vital and by joining the Golden Handcuff Club, they can be confident that Sussex Crimestoppers is doing everything it can to help reduce crime in our community.

“Every penny raised through this initiative will be used to promote the charity’s work across Sussex and to encourage members of the public to call 0800 555 111 anonymously, with information about crimes.”

Information about crime can also be passed on to Crimestoppers anonymously via the website as well as the telephone.

Sussex Crimestoppers has a proven history of getting public support to assist in locating and arresting people wanted for serious crimes.

Calls to Crimestoppers from the Sussex area have led to the arrest and charge of criminals responsible for crimes as serious as drug manufacturing, human trafficking and sexual offences.

If you would like to find out more about the Golden Handcuff Club or other ways to support Sussex Crimestoppers please contact Carolyn Randall by emailing Carolyn.randall@Crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crimestoppers and Sussex Police recently launched the 'Sussex’s Most Wanted' section of the Crimestoppers site. It contains e-fits, CCTV and images of suspected offenders who Sussex Police seek to trace and interview about a wide range of offences.

Members of the public can find the gallery of Sussex’s Most Wanted criminals at: www.crimestoppers-uk.org/sussex and click on Most Wanted.

Under a five year work programme, Southern Water is installing water meters across Sussex, Hampshire and Kent to help secure water resources for the future.

You can find out more via www.southernwater.co.uk/metering or by calling 0333 2003 012.