Successful sponsorship spurs the Security Industry Authority to extend its support to Crimestoppers

In May 2008, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) sponsored the website of the charity Crimestoppers www.crimestoppers-uk.org for a three month period. So successful has the sponsorship been that we have decided to extend our support until 1 January 2009.

Since the SIA's sponsorship began, there has been a 100% increase in the number of actionable calls received with information relating to the SIA. And this does not include calls taken by regional centres whose statistics are not yet available.

The SIA advertisement on the Crimestoppers website has also encouraged a shift from people phoning in to online reporting – over a three month period there was an average of 16 click throughs per day via our advertisement.

The reports we receive include information on security guards operating without an SIA licence, doorman attempting to work on the doors when their licence has been revoked, unlicensed wheel clampers and an SIA licence holder who had a recent conviction.

Michael Wilson, SIA Chief Executive said: “Crimestoppers has very quickly become our most important source of intelligence from the public. As an intelligence-led regulator the SIA depends fundamentally on good intelligence, and we have been delighted with the volume and quality of intelligence received through Crimestoppers. We are glad to enter into a further commitment to the charity and to build on the excellent partnership we have with them.”

Michael Laurie CBE, Chief Executive of Crimestoppers, said: “The sponsorship of our website has to be of mutual benefit to both parties and our partnership with the SIA is the perfect example of this. The 100% increase in actionable calls has exceeded all expectations and we hope that the continuation of the sponsorship will see yet more quality intelligence coming through over the next four months.”

ENDS

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 a million actionable calls, resulting in over 86,000 arrests and charges. Over £101 million worth of property has been recovered and over £151 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.

Media enquiries ONLY please contact:

Elizabeth Ashley
020 7025 4143
Elizabeth.ashley@the-sia.org.uk

Jessica Clinkett
020 7025 4182
jessica.clinkett@the-sia.org.uk