Independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers is today offering a reward of up to £5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person/s responsible for a series of crimes associated with firearms offences, robbery and car related crime in Hampshire and Dorset in December. [24 December 2012].

The first incident occurred on 5 December at Brockenhurst railway station at 0752 hrs when a man was threatened with a firearm then forced by the male suspect to drive in his own car to various locations around Brockenhurst before going to a bank, where he was told to withdraw cash and his mobile was phone was stolen.

The second incident occurred on 14 December between 0930 and 1130 hrs when a woman in her 60s was kidnapped from her own home after being forced to hand over £100. She was then threatened with a firearm and driven erratically in her own car, a Peugeot 207, stolen by the suspect, around the local area before being dropped off at the same spot she was abducted from 15 minutes later. The third incident concerns a robbery in Highcliffe, Dorest.

Crimestoppers is offering this reward of up to £5,000* for information passed to the charity's 0800 555 111 number that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual/s responsible for this series of crimes.

A Crimestoppers spokesperson said: "The New Forest has a reputation for being a safe and peaceful place to live and visit and these crimes have caused a great amount of distress and unrest for communities across the region.

"I would urge anyone with information about these crimes to contact Crimestoppers anonymously and help us bring these wanted individuals to justice. We only want to know what you know, not who you are."

If you have any information about this crime please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through our website.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact heather.broughton@crimestoppers-uk.org or call 0208 835 3726/07795 564313

Notes to Editors: 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 ‘giving information' form via our website www.crimestoppers-uk.org which can also be accessed by internet-enabled mobile phones.
•    Around 22 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers.
•    Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received over a million actionable calls, resulting in almost 118,000 arrests and charges. Over £124 million worth of goods has been recovered and over £271 million worth of drugs has been seized.
•    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 1,700 arrests to date.
•    Crimestoppers UK was founded by Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, PC, 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.
•    *This reward is valid for three months from 22 Dec 2012 – 22 Feb 2013.