Crimestoppers Chair helps fight crime in New Zealand

Following a reward of £120,000 donated by Lord Ashcroft, Founder and Chair of Crimestoppers UK, for the return of stolen New Zealand war medals, a man has now been jailed for 11 years for the theft. [23 October 2009]

During the visits Lord Ashcroft made to New Zealand regarding the reward, he was able to convince the Police Commissioner, Howard Broad and other business leaders to embrace the Crimestoppers ideology. And on Monday 12 October 2009, Crimestoppers New Zealand was launched.

Crimestoppers New Zealand is based on Crimestoppers UK so is an independent charity and is also using the same branding and phone number.

"A great result"

Lord Ashcroft KCMG, said: “This sentence is a great result, not only for the victims but for all of New Zealand. They are a very special part of the country's history and I was honoured to be able to help in the recovery of these medals. It was through my visits there that I was able to assist law enforcement further by encouraging them to set up Crimestoppers New Zealand – which I'm sure will be another vital tool in helping them to fight crime.”

The theft of the medals happened in early December 2007 from Waiouru Army Museum in New Zealand. Amongst the stolen medals were Victoria Crosses. The man (not named) was sentenced yesterday (22 October) at the Auckland District Court, New Zealand.

-ENDS-

For further information contact Crimestoppers' press office.

Notes to editors

• Crimestoppers is an independent charity which helps the police to solve crimes, making communities safer. It does this by operating the 24/7 telephone number 0800 555 111 which people can ring to pass on information about crimes anonymously. They can also use our ‘giving information' form on this website.

• Around 19 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers. One person every four days is charged with murder.

• Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received over a million actionable calls, resulting in over 95,000 arrests and charges. Over £110 million worth of goods have been recovered and over £176 million worth of drugs.

• In 2005, Crimestoppers launched the UK's Most Wanted on its website which allows the public to view images of criminals and pass on vital information about their whereabouts. It has been highly successful with 655 arrests to date from 2.5 thousand appeals posted.

• Crimestoppers UK was founded by Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Chairman of Trustees. In 1988, he launched Crimestoppers in the Metropolitan Police area. Crimestoppers ‘call to action' is built on a three-way partnership between the business community, the police and the media.