Crimestoppers appeals to Northwich people for help (From Northwich Guardian)

Crimestoppers appeals to Northwich people for help

5:50pm Monday 8th February 2010

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HELP combat crime with the assurance that your identity will be kept under wraps.

Last year, information given to Crimestoppers saw 212 people arrested in Cheshire.

The independent charity, which was introduced in Britain in 1988, has helped to solve high profile cases including the murders of Rhys Jones and Jamie Bulger. And more than 400 most wanted criminals have been arrested since 2006 as a result of information given by the public.

Colin Brown, chairman of Cheshire Crimestoppers, said: “We never ask callers for their names or for other forms of identification.

“We are not part of the police, but we will pass on any information we are given.

“It is then up to the police to use the information we give them to construct a case.”

He said people who could hold the key to solving cases are often too afraid to call the police because they do not want to go to court, they suspect friends or family members, they fear retribution or they may be a criminal themselves.

Crimestoppers will not record calls, will never ask for any means of identification and phone numbers cannot be traced.

Last year the only crimes that were not reported to Crimestoppers in Cheshire were terrorism and human trafficking offences, said Mr Brown.

People can report crimes to the charity by calling the national call centre, which is open 24 hours a day, or by sending a message via the website. A language line is available for people who do not speak English.

The charity’s work includes Operation Caputra, a campaign to catch criminals who are believed to be on the run in Spain, including Lymm man Chris Moore.

Tony Molloy, a Crimestoppers coordinator, said: “It is about tapping into the information and feeding the information into the proper police environment.”

Cash rewards can be given if the information given leads to one or more people being arrested and charged.

Anyone with any information about crimes should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org If you would like to join Crimestoppers as a volunteer call 0208 254 3200.

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