Crimestoppers extends its reach to foreign visitors

UK crime-fighting charity, Crimestoppers, is mounting for the first time a pilot campaign through visa applications, to inform visiting Pakistanis about the vital service that the charity provides to help increase information received about crimes affecting the UK. [5 October 2009]

This six month pilot campaign is an extension of Crimestoppers' international work; the charity is already working with Spain on projects to fight crimes affecting the UK.

This is the first time that a charity has been able to provide inserts into visa application packs. Leaflets detailing how to contact Crimestoppers and how the charity operates are being placed in both successful and unsuccessful visa application packs. There will also be Crimestoppers stickers put on all passports of Pakistani's entering the country and posters will be displayed at points of entry in airports.

Dave Cording, Crimestoppers' Director of Operations, said: “The British Pakistani community is one of the largest minority ethnic communities in the UK and so there are many family and friends who visit from Pakistan.

“There isn't a Crimestoppers programme in Pakistan so it's important those entering the UK are fully informed of our service. We understand that not everyone will be comfortable approaching the police with information about crimes and so it is important visitors are made aware that they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously instead. We also urge the British Pakistani community to let their visitors know about Crimestoppers, to help make our country a safer place to live and visit.”

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Notes to editors

For further information contact Crimestoppers' press office.

Crimestoppers

• 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 online Giving Information Form.
• 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 91,000 arrests and charges. Over £167 million worth of property has been recovered and over £160 million worth of drugs.
• In 2006, 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 over 500 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.
• In September 2007, Crimestoppers launched a youth website www.shadowcs.co.uk which allows young people to give information anonymously online.