The world's most wanted man spotted at Tesco

Crime-fighting charity, Crimestoppers, today releases ten of their more amusing calls received at its contact centre during 2009, including a prisoner who rang to say that his toilet roll had been nicked from his cell. [21 December 2009]

Other gems include calls to Crimestoppers about a man who was driving with two broken arms and a damaged leg and another call to say that that Osama Bin Laden had been spotted in Tesco – every little helps!

Crimestoppers operates the 0800 555 111 telephone number and website crimestoppers-uk.org for people to pass on information about crimes anonymously.

Taking approximately 250 pieces of useful information a day to help police fight crime, the charity is releasing some of the funnier calls that have been taken over the past year. At the same time, Crimestoppers wants to remind the public of the importance of passing on vital crime information and that the contact centre is open for calls over the Christmas period.

Michael Laurie CBE, Crimestoppers' Chief Executive, said: “Unfortunately crime is a year-round issue that doesn't take a break over Christmas. In fact, there are some crimes, such as burglary and domestic violence, that tend to rise during this time.

“Whilst we do receive some amusing calls, it's essential people realise the importance of their information on crime. We want to reassure the public that they can pass on information about crimes to Crimestoppers 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the whole year, even on Christmas day. Don't be afraid to pick up the phone, everyone who contacts Crimestoppers remains anonymous – no personal details are taken and calls are not traced or recorded.”

Funny calls to Crimestoppers during 2009:

1. With the recession, Crimestoppers is getting numerous calls on recently let properties with indications of cannabis cultivation. One such detached, four bed, three bathrooms and double garage property, let to a single oriental male, gave rise to a neighbour's suspicions. The call agent went through the list of indications and the woman concluded that the sound of a hairdryer could be heard early in the morning. Asking if she thought this was suspicious, she replied yes “because the man is bald!"
2. A man who is currently being detained at Her Majesty's Pleasure rang to say that his toilet roll had been nicked out of his cell!
3. An elderly male shouted as soon as the phone was answered: “I live at (and he gave his address). Have you caught the people yet?” I asked what people and the reply was “not the sort of people you would ask round for tea”.
4. On asking for a description of a drug pusher there was a slight pause before Crimestoppers was told: “well he looks like Popeye”
5. An anxious caller rang about a man who was driving with two broken arms and a damaged leg (and that was before he hit anybody!).
6. Crimestoppers was told by what sounded like a completely sane and plausible male caller that he had just seen Osama Bin Laden leaving his local Tesco … every little helps!
7. One angry punter had difficulty getting the words out and when I asked for the third time what was wrong with the ‘skunk' he had just bought he shouted “It wasn't skunk it was TREEBARK”.
8. A caller sounding very much the worse for whatever he had ingested, complained bitterly about the state of the drugs a certain dealer was selling, saying that the dealer's customers were in a bad way and becoming ill. The call agent assumed the dealer was bulking up the drug with some other type of substance. When asked if there was anything else the caller wished to add, they replied: “Yes, if he (the dealer) thinks he is about to be picked up, he hides the drugs in his bum cheeks”…
9. An elderly lady was quite concerned as she described a young man in a hooded jacket with his hands tied behind his back being forced into the back of a car by two men in dark clothing. She gave the car index plate. Thinking it may be a kidnap, the force concerned was contacted. Shortly afterwards the force rang to say that the ‘hoodie' was being arrested!! It gave them all a good laugh!!
10. A number of calls have also been received from individuals complaining they were hit by snowballs or witnessed snowball fights!

-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 via 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 property has been recovered and over £178 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 over 710 arrests to date from 3,400 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. Registered charity number: 1108687