Crimestoppers text messaging service hailed a success

A new text message service launched by the charity Crimestoppers to help combat knife crime in the capital, has been hailed a success by young people and the police. [24 September 2009]

With financial backing from the Government Office London (GOL) and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), Crimestoppers developed a new text message service that could guarantee the anonymity of the sender. The service was identified by law enforcement as an ideal route to pass on information about who were carrying knives in schools and colleges.

An evaluation of the project from August to April 2009 was carried out which found that the service was useful to the police and was popular with young people. The key findings included:

• The number of pieces of actionable information relating to knife crime in London trebled from August 2008 – March 2009.
• Young people surveyed feel safer seeing Crimestoppers' text posters, and happy that ‘something is being done' against knife crime.
• The majority also indicated that text was a preferred method of giving information as it is ‘quick' and ‘easy'.

Minister for London, Tessa Jowell, visiting the Cardinal Pole Catholic School in Hackney today, said: “Crimestoppers has put in place a very innovative and successful way in which young people can text information anonymously about people they know who are carrying knives.

“The scheme has reached thousands of young people in London, with their text messages providing the police with the information they need protect their communities and help save lives.

"Now that the value of this service has been demonstrated in London, I'm pleased that it will become available to police forces nationally, enabling young people across the country to show the phone is mightier than the knife. If they know of someone carrying a knife, a simple text to 88551 - with the suspect's name, nickname, school, class year, and address - could save a life.”

Dave Cording, Crimestoppers' Director of Operations added: “We are pleased that the project has met its main aim of providing more information to police and that they have found the information useful. The texting project was about getting very specific information. Whilst there was only one arrest as a direct result of information via text, we have found that it is more about the richness of the information which is useful to police to help inform their ongoing activity. It is evident from speaking to young people that knife crime is still a huge concern for them so we are proud that we are helping them to feel safer as well.”

[ENDS]

For further information contact Crimestoppers' press office.

Notes to editors

• mBlox, the world's largest mobile transaction network, and Anderson Software, applications specialist for law enforcement, helped build the software required for this text message service.
• Using Anderson's TipSoft SMS, information could be anonymously received with complete confidence. The company built this service specifically to allow text messaging informants to remain anonymous by encrypting the messages and routing them through several secure servers, protecting the personal details of the informant.
• Through the support from the MPS and GOL Crimestoppers employed two members of staff who organised and conducted workshops in schools and youth groups. This activity complemented the marketing activity that took place to raise awareness of the scheme which included posters, calling cards, radio advertisements and media relations.
• 151 workshops were conducted between September 2008 – March 2009 reaching over 9,000 young people.
• The Crimestoppers text message service for information on knife crime is now available to all UK police forces. About Crimestoppers
• 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.
• 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.
• 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. Registered charity number: 1108687