Crimestoppers is selected for ICAP Charity Day 2008

[14 July 2008]

The UK's leading crime-fighting charity, Crimestoppers, is delighted to announce that it has been chosen as a beneficiary of ICAP's annual global Charity Day, which will take place on 10 December 2008 at ICAP's offices around the world.

On this one day, ICAP, the world's largest interdealer broker, gives away its total revenues to worthy causes. Now in its sixteenth year, this fund-raising event has raised over £42 million for charities all over the world. Last year alone, over £9.2 million was raised globally, £4.5m of which came from London.

Crimestoppers is hoping to raise enough funds to increase its anti-gun and knife crime work in London. In September 2007, the charity launched a pilot project in the London Boroughs of Southwark and Lambeth which aims to reach young, disaffected people with a simple message: to let people know about Crimestoppers, explain that it is not the police, and assure them that they can provide information anonymously through us.

Through working in coalition with other community organisations, such as schools, youth inclusion programmes and wardens, the charity has promoted its telephone number in workshops, youth groups and lessons with the aim of reaching as many young people as possible. Inspirational peer ‘community champions' have also proved to be effective message-bearers to young communities who are traditionally mistrustful of the police.

Michael Laurie, Crimestoppers Chief Executive, said: “With eighteen teenagers already murdered by knife crime this year in London alone, the need for information from the community is more acute than ever. This funding will enable us to make a direct impact in the fight against this needless slaughter of our young. We are very proud indeed to be selected as one of the charities to benefit from ICAP's unique Charity Day.”

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Further information: Hannah Daws, Head of Communications, Crimestoppers, 020 8254 3230/07900 694904, hannah.daws@crimestoppers-uk.org

Notes to editors

Crimestoppers is an independent charity dedicated to solving crimes and taking criminals off the streets. Around 17 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers. One person every five days is charged with murder. Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received over 980,000 actionable calls, resulting in nearly 83,000 arrests and charges. Over £100 million worth of property has been recovered and over £144 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 is built on a three-way partnership between the business community, the police and the media.

About ICAP

ICAP is the world's premier voice and electronic interdealer broker and the source of global market information and commentary for professionals in the international financial markets. The Group is active in the wholesale markets in interest rates, credit, commodities, foreign exchange and equity derivatives. ICAP has an average daily transaction volume in excess of $1.5 trillion, more than 60% of which is electronic. ICAP plc was added to the FTSE 100 Index on 30 June 2006. For more information go to www.icap.com.