Roaring in the Year of the Dragon

Gloucestershire Crimestoppers' fundraising Chinese New Year Dinner was held at The Mayflower, Cheltenham Monday 23 January and raised more than £2,200.

Members of the Gloucestershire Crimestoppers committee welcomed the Year of the Dragon with Crimestoppers supporters from the business community, the media and citizens of the county who support and value the independent charity, and what it achieves in the fight against crime.

The charity was introduced into Gloucestershire in 1995 and since then over 14,709 pieces of criminal intelligence have been received from members of the public. This information has resulted in 1,176 people being arrested and charged with offences, the recovery of £516,346 worth of stolen property and the seizure of £371,403 worth of illegal drugs.

This year alone Gloucestershire Crimestoppers has taken 691 calls about crime, which has resulted in the arrest and charge of 64 people and the additional detection of 63 crimes. Over £200,000 worth of goods and drugs has also been recovered.

Sell-out event

This means that in Gloucestershire every week over two crimes are solved as a result of Crimestoppers information.

Chairman Jonathan Carr, said: “This is the eighth year that we have held this event in conjunction with Cheltenham's Mayflower Restaurant. This year though was our first sell out, with all tickets sold. This is testament to the strength of support we receive from the local business community in Gloucestershire who make the evening so successful."

The dragon is the fifth sign of the Chinese zodiac and it is regarded as an auspicious symbol which stands for power, good luck, success and happiness.

If you would like to support the charity in any way, then please contact Darren Stevens who deals with the committee's marketing on 07889042345 or Julia Richardson, Crimestoppers Coordinator on 01452 752056.