Connect - Summer 2014 by Crimestoppers Trust

internationalnews

OPERATION

SNEAK PEEK INSIDE!

RETURN ISSUE 14 SUMMER 2014

ww.crimestoppers-uk.org/opreturn

HOW we are

February, Crimestoppers d the National Crime Agency unched the latest of its fugitive peals in Holland after revealing e faces of eight wanted dividuals believed to be hiding Amsterdam.

from prison on licence and is believed to have become involved in the distribution of drugs, working with organised crime groups in both Nottingham and London.

up the wanted individuals.

Two men were also sought from the Greater Manchester area, although one was later removed from the campaign. However, Thomas Tooth is still wanted for unlawful wounding.

Operation Return is a multiagency campaign involving the National Crime Agency (NCA), Crimestoppers UK, Bel M (Dutch Crimestoppers) and Netherlands law enforcement.

Rezgar Zengana, who is wanted by Police Scotland after he was convicted for raping a 25-year-old woman, joins Metropolitan Police target James Tarrant, who was convicted in his absence of drug and firearm offences, to make

Lord Ashcroft, KCMG PC, Founder and Chair of Crimestoppers, said: IN THIS ISSUE: “I hope that these campaigns give a clear message to British fugitives that escaping abroad does not mean you can escape justice for your crimes.” OF CRASH FOR

This latest launch brings the total number of fugitive appeals in Holland to 17, with eight already located.

EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES

ree men from Liverpool – bert Gerrard, Michael Moogan d Mark Fitzgibbon, were all anted for drug offences, while ark Liscott, who is originally m Birmingham, was released

Operation Zygos

April saw the hunt continue for some of the UK’s most-wanted fugitives believed to be hiding in Cyprus as the Charity launched its second fugitive campaign on the island alongside the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Cyprus Police (CYPOL).

The second Operation Zygos campaign featured crimestoppers six brand new appeals for fugitives,crimestoppersUK and the five | 0800 111 remainingwww.crimestoppers-uk.org suspected criminals from the555 first

THE GROWTH

CASH SCAMS wanted for by UK law enforcement agencies.

WE FIGHT THE PICKPOCKETS #PUTPOCKETS Just seven weeks WITH after the campaign launched, Other alleged crimes include a horse racing betting scam and various types of advanced fee fraud connected to the breeding of racehorses.

Richard Ardolino, a suspected fraudster linked to money laundering and mortgage fraud offences, was arrested in Dubai after featuring in the campaign. He became the fifth individual to be located since FUNDRAISERS launch – ten remain at large.

SEE OUR

IN ACTION

Lord Ashcroft, KCMG PC, Founder and Chair of SUMMER 2014 | 1 Crimestoppers, said: “Operation Zygos aims to ensure

* Appeals correct at time of print (July 2014)

e list included some of the K’s most dangerous accused convicted criminals wanted crimes relating to drug muggling, rape and unlawful ounding.

All too quickly the hand of time has moved on and I now introduce this; the 14th issue of Connect magazine. The Charity has been busy on all fronts: whether actively campaigning or taking phone calls from community members who genuinely want to ‘do the right thing’. In this edition of Connect we have a wide variety of activities that you have undertaken to showcase. Taking stock, I am delighted to report that we continue to take more telephone calls and online traffic than in the past – clearly illustrating the fact that our message resonates more powerfully than ever, with over 100,000 reports passed to the police and to other wider law enforcement agencies this year. Campaign activity has also continued at a hectic pace. Inside you will find updates on critical national and international campaigns dealing with issues as diverse as hunting fugitives with Operations Zygos and Captura, to facing the manifest challenges of the country communities with the rural crime campaign. However, I should like to stress that regional campaigns are every bit as important and I am proud, as you too should be, that we have launched over 100 local campaigns addressing issues that really matter, to local communities. As I travel the country, meeting Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners, I realise just how important our volunteers are in framing the debate in their areas. It is the volunteers who provide that essential connection with communities which makes the Charity relevant, and I am pleased to report that recruiting continues on an upward curve. We now have over 600 volunteers on the books, running committees and serving communities the length and breadth of the country, making a real and much valued contribution in our fight against crime. As ever, Mark Hallas

NATIONAL NEWS

FEARLESS

Published by Crimestoppers Trust, PO Box 324, Wallington, SM6 6BG Editor Fiona Murton-Taylor Designed by Redback Design Crimestoppers is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee.

INTERNATIONAL

REGIONAL NEWS

15 The next issue of Connect will be published in January 2015

2 | SUMMER 2014

CONNECT | ISSUE 14

nationalnews

Digital Digest

25,000

Launched first ever regionally-led social media campaign for rural crime in March 2014 featuring targeted Facebook ads run by volunteer committees.

Surpassed Twitter followers in July 2013 which was our 25th anniversary month of celebrations.

Hosted first ever

Had

257

24/7

Tweetathon in September 2013.

retweets when live tweeting during an episode of Crimewatch on the case of Madeleine McCann in October 2013.

GET YOUR TWEET ON

This digital initiative helped us to achieve an increase in Twitter activity (including followers, retweets and direct mentions), further our social reach and double the average traffic visiting our

website through hosted tweets on an interactive map created by our partner, Esri UK. We received nearly 700 retweets during the 24 hour coverage period and just under 300 new followers; doubling the initial target set for the activity. With just shy of 150 mentions on social media to add to the retweets achieved, the Charity gained an impressive potential user reach of 1.1 million people.

2013/ 2014

Overall since 1988

CrimeStats Actionable information

Arrested & charged

Drugs seized

Goods recovered

1,536,818

128,817

£317,103,961

£129,512,410

101,103

6,242

£18,534,081

£3,308,939

Positive Outcomes*

16,157

pieces (up 1.4%)

www.crimestoppers-uk.org | 0800 555 1 1 1

SUMMER 2014 | 3

*This is the first time we have recorded this statistic, e.g., additional area patrols.

Last year, the Charity launched its first ever 24 hour ‘Tweetathon’. Our aim was to display the vital role Crimestoppers plays in allowing the public to pass on information about crime anonymously 24/7.

CRIMESTOPPERS APPEAL FOR INFORMATION ON STAGED CAR ACCIDENTS In December last year Crimestoppers joined forces with the Insurance Fraud Bureau to try and clamp down on the number of collisions being staged – better known as ‘crash for cash’ scams. With the crime costing policy holders an estimated £390 million per year, the two organisations launched the campaign to try and quell the number of bogus claims being made by those carrying out the scams. But what is a ‘crash for cash’ scam? Essentially, it is an event

whereby criminals target innocent and unsuspecting motorists with the intention of staging crashes in order to make claims against them. A real life example saw a gang of 11 individuals deliberately crash into a 12-tonne bus with 26 passengers on board as part of a huge ‘crash for cash’ scam in Sheffield. The group were found guilty of playing a part in a fraud conspiracy worth almost £500,000. What’s equally alarming, is the fact one in ten motorists would consider involving

themselves in a ‘crash for cash’ scam if it meant a financial reward. Those aware of anyone committing this offence were encouraged to contact the Charity’s anonymous Cheatline to ensure this crime does not continue to grow beyond its current status.

CRIME IN THE COUNTRYSIDE Mike Pannett, Author and Director Hard times breed crime - sadly it’s a fact of human nature. The lucrative trade in cash for scrap metal, the booming black market for cheap fuel, the domestic and international market for stolen vehicles and farm machinery, have made our rural areas rich pickings for criminals. Poaching, wildlife crime and heritage crime are also on the increase. With the thin blue line almost transparent in some areas, what can be done to protect rural communities? Working together has never been more critical and the message must be that ‘someone is always watching’. There has been an unprecedented increase in membership schemes such as Farm/Country/Horse/ Heritage watches, all run by volunteers, who are the eyes and ears of the police. Our Special Constables, whose numbers are slowly increasing, have also never been more important. In May, the 4Policing Consultancy Group hosted a social media event on Twitter

4 | SUMMER 2014

(@4policing #RuralCrime ) aimed at highlighting rural crime issues. Police Chiefs, rural policing teams, Police Crime Commissioners and Government Ministers all joined in. And with the support of Crimestoppers, BBC Countryfile, the NFU, Farmers Weekly, land owners and farmers, the event was a resounding success. However, several areas of concern were identified. The need for police to operate more effectively cross border, and the huge problem of the under reporting of crime, were top of the list. Be under no illusion, rural crime is a hot topic in the halls of Westminster, and we all must do our bit to keep it high on the agenda. My message is clear to all in government and policing “life and crime in the countryside matters.” With regards to those who live and work in the countryside and like me, care about rural life and its communities, do report all incidents to the police. Please also contact Crimestoppers if you know of anything that will lead to the arrest of those responsible for committing a crime. If your information leads to an arrest or conviction then there might even be a cash reward too! Follow Mike on twitter @mikepannett

CONNECT | ISSUE 14

New ‘Unknowns Gallery’ Launched Most Wanted is the only UK-wide online forum where individuals, wanted by the police and other law enforcement bodies such as the National Crime Agency, HMRC and the UK Border Force, can be found and information passed on about them anonymously by the public.

it easier for the public to put names to these faces without having to reveal their own identity. Founder and Chair of Crimestoppers, Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC, said:

Since its launch in 2005, Most Wanted has featured over 10,500 appeals resulting in over 2,800 arrests. The online hub receives around 35,000 views every month from the public and it is hoped this figure will increase further with the launch of this new gallery. As its name suggests, the Unknowns Gallery allows police and law enforcement users to upload images of individuals that they require names for (often taken from e-fits or CCTV stills). With the gallery searchable by both crime type and location, this should make

“Most Wanted has proved to be a hugely beneficial service for law enforcement agencies and the UK public over the last nine years in helping locate wanted suspects and convicted criminals. The Unknowns Gallery will help to build on this platform with a view to improving arrest rates in all areas of crime and ultimately help make UK communities safer places to live”. Most Wanted, including the Unknowns Gallery, is fully optimised for all mobile devices so people can even give information ‘on-the-move’. Visit crimestoppers-uk.org/unknownsuspects

MOST WANTED

Statistics as at 31st March 2014

April

1st 10,776 appeals posted

#PUT POCKETS

2,871 arrests (27%)

751 arrests since 1st April 2013

At the start of 2014, Crimestoppers launched an innovative and imaginative campaign entitled ‘#putpockets’ to highlight the dangers of pickpocketing across the UK. The hard-hitting integrated campaign produced by OgilvyOne UK, included footage of sleight-of-hand experts, including a former pickpocket and magician, sliding cards into people’s pockets and bags directing them to www.putpockets. co.uk, which outlined the dangers and signs of lurking pickpockets.

www.crimestoppers-uk.org | 0800 555 1 1 1

54 54 arrests in March 2014 alone

536 live appeals

28 forces / organisations have 1 or more appeals posted

The cards were shaped in the style of everyday items we are likely to carry in our pockets or bags, including smartphones, tablets and wallets, carrying the message that if someone can get something into your bag, then they can also get something out.

The campaign received widespread media coverage, while the project was also recognised by the charity publication Third Sector, which awarded it ‘Digital Campaign of the Week’ – an accolade won previously by charities such as the NSPCC and Greenpeace.

Stealth theft, where no force is used and the victim is unaware of the crime, makes up around 70-80 per cent of theft from the person incidents*.

To see the video of the ‘putpocketing’ in action and the response of some of the individuals in the film, please visit www.putpockets.co.uk.

Every day over 1,700 members of the public have something taken from their bags or pockets.**

* Theft from person statistics from the Home Office ‘Theft from Person: Information Pack for Partners’ July 2013 ** Crime Survey for England & Wales – Office of National Statistics 2013

SUMMER 2014 | 5

nationalnews THE 2014 CRIME MATTERS SURVEY

CRIME MATTERS In February 2014, Crimestoppers hosted a ‘Crime Matters’ blog, focusing on crime and its impact on society. As part of the blog, we ran a survey to find out how the public felt about crime and about the Charity. As you will read, the results proved very telling. Of the 1950 people who took part, it was encouraging to see that 770 suggested that they would be interested in volunteering for the Charity. We were delighted with this response, but it would be wrong to say we were surprised. As we know from our 600 or so current

Share your views. Help fight crime

volunteers, there are lots of people who feel they have a role to play in keeping communities safe and it isn’t always those who live in areas that are particularly affected by crime. Our volunteers are those prepared to “walk the walk” as well as “talk the talk” and we are very grateful for all that they do. At the same time, Crimestoppers has a responsibility to ensure that we reflect the changing nature of charity volunteering. People lead busy lives and we are learning to adapt to this, evolving our structures and way of working accordingly. The growing diversity of the local and national partners we engage with and methods of

National Volunteers’ Week 2014 Crimestoppers has once again taken part in ‘National Volunteers’ Week’, which celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. This has become an important event, aimed at recognising the contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK. Mark Hallas, Chief Executive for Crimestoppers, said: “National Volunteers’ Week is an ideal opportunity to reflect on the importance of the role our volunteers play within our Charity, and to celebrate the many successes and accomplishments they have helped us achieve, particularly over the last year. As usual their passion and commitment towards making their community a safer place to live shines through.” As part of the event, Crimestoppers hosted an online ‘Criminal Minds’ quiz which was won by the West Country team. A ‘thank you’ event was also hosted for Central Office volunteers, featuring an 80’s themed bake-off. Thank you to those who generously sponsored the events and donated prizes: Nandos, Morrisons, Pizza Express (Wallington) and Charlie Brown Hairdressers (Wallington).

6 | SUMMER 2014

communication are other factors in preventing us from resting on our laurels. To name but two examples, in recent years we have developed new volunteering roles to help harness the power of social media and recently launched a partnership with G4S to recruit their staff to help us take our ‘Fearless’ message to those working with young people. In order for Crimestoppers to be as successful as possible in reaching those who need somewhere to turn with information about crime, there is no doubt that we will need to continue to acclimatise and grow. Visit blog.crimestoppers-uk.org

Devon & Cornwall Three students from City College in Plymouth have undertaken research on Crimestoppers as part of their foundation degree in Public Services. Fabi-Ann Alexander, Derin Arnold and Rachael Hallows were presented with the task by the Charity’s local Volunteer Chair in Devon & Cornwall, Steve Pearce. Steve asked them to ascertain the level of awareness of the Crimestoppers brand and service locally within Plymouth, and to recommend how this could be improved. In turn it was hoped that this would lead to an increase in information received and passed on to the various law enforcement agencies. The team handed out surveys to the public in Plymouth, with nearly 300 responses. The results received made for interesting reading and highlighted a number of recommendations that the Crimestoppers team in Devon & Cornwall will be looking at closely to help with future projects. • 70% had heard of Crimestoppers previously • Almost 10% had called Crimestoppers before • Levels of awareness weren’t as high with 17-24 year olds as they were with other age groups The Charity would like to express its gratitude to the three students and to City College in Plymouth for supporting the research.

CONNECT | ISSUE 14

internationalnews

OPERATION

Appeals correct as at July 2014.

RETURN www.crimestoppers-uk.org/opreturn

In February, Crimestoppers and the National Crime Agency launched the latest of its fugitive appeals in Holland after revealing the faces of eight wanted individuals believed to be hiding in Amsterdam. The list included some of the UK’s most dangerous accused or convicted criminals wanted for crimes relating to drug smuggling, rape and unlawful wounding. Three men from Liverpool – Robert Gerrard, Michael Moogan and Mark Fitzgibbon, were all wanted for drug offences, while Mark Liscott, who is originally from Birmingham, was released

from prison on licence and is believed to have become involved in the distribution of drugs, working with organised crime groups in both Nottingham and London.

up the wanted individuals.

Two men were also sought from the Greater Manchester area, although one was later removed from the campaign. However, Thomas Tooth is still wanted for unlawful wounding.

Operation Return is a multiagency campaign involving the National Crime Agency (NCA), Crimestoppers UK, Bel M (Dutch Crimestoppers) and Netherlands law enforcement.

Lord Ashcroft, KCMG PC, Founder and Chair of Crimestoppers, said: “I hope that these campaigns give a clear message to British fugitives that escaping abroad does not mean you can escape justice for your crimes.”

Operation Zygos

This latest launch brings the total number of fugitive appeals in Holland to 17, with eight already located.

wanted for by UK law enforcement agencies.

Appeals correct as at July 2014.

Other alleged crimes include a horse racing betting scam and various types of advanced fee fraud connected to the breeding of racehorses. Just seven weeks after the campaign launched, Richard Ardolino, a suspected fraudster linked to money laundering and mortgage fraud offences, was arrested in Dubai after featuring in the campaign. He became the fifth individual to be located since launch – ten remain at large. April saw the hunt continue for some of the UK’s most-wanted fugitives believed to be hiding in Cyprus as the Charity launched its second fugitive campaign on the island alongside the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Cyprus Police (CYPOL). The second Operation Zygos campaign featured six brand new appeals for fugitives, and the five remaining suspected criminals from the first campaign in 2012. Rape, heroin trafficking and the set-up of fake travel agencies defrauding an estimated 20,000 people, are some of the crimes the featured individuals are

www.crimestoppers-uk.org | 0800 555 1 1 1

This campaign highlights the continuing work between Crimestoppers, the NCA and the Cypriot Police Authorities (CYPOL). Crimestoppers and the NCA also work closely with the British High Commission in Nicosia, as well as British and Cypriot law enforcement agencies. Lord Ashcroft, KCMG PC, Founder and Chair of Crimestoppers, said: “Operation Zygos aims to ensure members of the public in Cyprus are alert to the possible presence on the island of the eleven wanted individuals. Information given anonymously to Crimestoppers can help lead to their arrest.” SUMMER 2014 | 7

partners

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION... Each day around 1000 people contact us because we are an independent Charity and guarantee anonymity. As a result, we also receive a considerable amount of information on business wrong-doing. This information could come from an employee nervous about approaching their own organisation and “whistle-blowing”, or a person on the outside who knows someone involved in wrong-doing; or witnesses an incident independently taking place on the business premises.

Everyone recognises the importance of information – information leads to understanding and taking the appropriate actions and is fundamental to maintaining and developing the security of businesses. Most companies now use technology to help them identify wrong-doing. They usually run an internal employee reporting line - often more than one. But there is evidence that these are rarely used – often because they aren’t promoted or because employees are mistrustful of them. That isn’t an especially good start, especially when business pundits like to remind us that employees are a company’s greatest asset, but also their weakest link. Taking this a step further, many businesses have almost no idea of what the public knows about them that could be a risk to their operation. They will argue that they run a customer complaint line, but this doesn’t tackle criminal activity, which could be directed towards them. Crimestoppers is a natural conduit between companies and the public by offering data sharing services, which are completely unique.

8 | SUMMER 2014

The fact this type of information-gathering is reactive and spontaneous makes it extremely powerful. On that basis, Crimestoppers put together a data sharing report for a major organisation and identified over 100 pieces of information that cited their name in the course of just 12 months. Some of the crimes were serious and a complete revelation to them. The results of this particular data trawl weren’t exceptional – we have identified other organisations sharing similar risks and equally oblivious to them. This information is vital because it tells the company what is actually going on and also begins to highlight possible new trends, which is further enhanced by our use of Esri UK’s Geo Intelligence System (GIS).

“ Our partners recognise the significance of pro-actively working with Crimestoppers to engage with the public for information to fight crime” Many of our partners recognise the significance of pro-actively working with Crimestoppers to engage with the public for information to fight crime. We have at our disposal a very considerable amount of expertise and experience in this area. Crimestoppers already adopt traditional mechanisms such as posters, leaflets, printed media and even the website, but we have also developed a digital campaign package,

CONNECT | ISSUE 14

partners “FACT’s relationship with Crimestoppers is invaluable and continues to provide us with intelligence on criminal activity that has a detrimental impact on our members and the jobs they support.” Eddy Leviten | Director of Communications, The Federation Against Copyright Theft.

Crimestoppers ‘Game of Fraud’

adopting social media that is also producing excellent measurable results. Crimestoppers formed a partnership with the Post Office with the intention of detecting network robbery offences on cash in transit vehicles in the West Midlands. We rolled out a multi-faceted three month public awareness campaign across the region which included leaflet door drops, outdoor advertising, digital media, website, Twitter and Facebook. Working with the public, as our eyes and ears, we saw an exponential increase in intelligence compared to the same period during the previous year when we weren’t involved. The success of this initiative has led to a further three regional campaigns. At the same time, we also work with a wide range of companies on staff reporting activities. The success of this particular Crimestoppers operation is proven by the longevity of our partnerships. We apply our public-facing PR experience to internal reporting where creating awareness of wrong-doing is critical. We view our internal and external information services as part of the same equation – one is incomplete without the other and leave organisations exposed to crime. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) also makes strong commercial sense as it’s an opportunity to educate customers about the risks of crime affecting them, which ultimately could hit business performance. All of us are aware of the threats posed by identity fraud where a third-party steals someone else’s personal details for financial gain. This is an invidious crime and costs companies vast amounts of money and time, especially once the fraud is committed. Crimestoppers has just launched an on-going awareness initiative, “Game of Fraud”, where we

www.crimestoppers-uk.org | 0800 555 1 1 1

invite people to identify those types of financial fraud they might be most vulnerable to. We have started with ten scenarios that include romance, online shopping and courier fraud. This is a ready-made package that can be “whitelabelled” by companies for use with their own customers. We also realise that identity fraud constantly evolves and develops in sophistication and ingenuity and are, therefore, keen to work with organisations that can help us broaden our portfolio of frauds. The public and customers also belong to communities and this is where CSR performs an important role and should support business resilience by bringing them all closer. A good example of this is our work with G4S, where members of staff have become volunteers in their communities. They support our Fearless initiative by training youth workers and other professionals to deliver the Fearless message, helping young people make informed choices about the types of crime that affect them. As ambassadors for the programme, they come into contact with different community stakeholders and develop relationships with them that ultimately engender goodwill, as well as addressing a crime that has a direct impact on their cash in transit business. Companies should see their own resilience as throughthe-line where they engage the general public, their customers and communities and, therefore, benefit from three rings of protection. Crimestoppers is the only organisation that is able to offer such a comprehensive service by bringing these elements together. This should provide a huge reassurance for companies that believe like us that an ounce of prevention...

... IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE SUMMER 2014 | 9

feature

SCENE IT. HERD IT. SPEAK UP ABOUT IT. ANONYMOUSLY. In a first for Crimestoppers, Regional Managers and staff across the UK brought together all their creativity, wealth of experience and knowledge to create an innovative and cost-effective campaign that has not only got people talking, but has become the biggest social media campaign in the history of the Charity.

concern in terms of accessing and supporting hard to reach rural communities. Initial conversations with police forces quickly established a need for a campaign to raise awareness of our anonymous services and charitable status, and to address the issues that really affect these, often isolated, communities.

The ‘Scene it. Herd it. Speak up about it. Anonymously.’ social media campaign launched in March and heralded a new style of campaigning for the Charity. Its focus was on working collaboratively, as well as gathering together expertise and support from volunteer committees, law enforcement, rural partner agencies and individual experts from across the country.

Utilising the Charity’s new blog platform and other social media channels, the campaign urged the public to help protect our rural communities from the damaging effects of crime.

The regional team work very closely with Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), police forces and partners, and are key to the Charity in identifying growing local and national issues and intelligence gaps. They understand the constraints, both in terms of resources and budgets, placed upon police forces today. Hence this campaign sought to be as costeffective as possible, whilst still encompassing preventative elements. Crimestoppers recognised a growing, nationwide

Rural theft cost the UK an estimated £42.3m in 2012* and can have far reaching consequences for communities in terms of the impact that this can have on the food chain, deliveries and supermarket prices. Awareness of rural crime issues were raised by utilising the positive relationships the Charity has with a number of partners, while the Crimestoppers blog also saw contributions from organisations such as PCCs, charities and corporate organisations that are affected by rural crime. The blog allowed them to tell their story of how rural crime has impacted their area, raising awareness of the significance of the crime and offences associated with it. A survey undertaken by NFU Mutual in 2012 found that an estimated 70% of rural crimes are planned, which means that someone, somewhere, knows who is behind these distressing crimes, which amongst other things, deprive farm businesses of valuable equipment and livestock, as well as damaging churches and historic buildings. The ‘Scene it. Herd it. Speak up about it. Anonymously.’ campaign was well received within the rural communities across the UK, with the blog and social media channels receiving significant interest and attention. * Source: NFU Mutual Rural Crime Survey 2013.

10 | SUMMER 2014

CONNECT | ISSUE 14

#RuralCrime trends ‘Scene it. Herd it. The Crimestoppers’ onymously.’ social Speak up about it. An r ought about anothe media campaign br e im when #RuralCr first for the Charity during the first week trended on Twitter of the campaign. be 26 years old, but Crimestoppers may that it can keep up it continues to show with the times!

Reaping the benefits of a social media campaign , • Over 150 separate pieces of TV, radio print and media coverage • Over 3.3 million people reached via Facebook at a cost of only £8,502 • Over 3 million people reached via TV, !) radio, printed and online media (no cost • 435,000 people reached via a full page advert in The Sunday Telegraph (kindly donated by Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, PC) • Over 30,000 visits to our Rural Crime landing page • 2,258 visits to our blog site

What constitutes a

rural crime?

Rural crime covers a wide range of crimes including: • Theft of machinery, vehicles, heating oil , metal and diesel • Theft of livestock • Illegal waste sites

and dumping • Burglary of farms, homes and business premises • Drug dealing and cannabis cultivation • Theft from churche s and damage to graveyards and monu ments • Poaching, hare-co ursing and cruelty to animals • Arson or criminal damage to fences and crops

Strength in numbers The campaign’s success ultimately came down to full engagement from: • ACPO lead for Wildlife and Rural Crime • 16 police forces • Police and Crime Commissioners • Corporate partners • National and local organisations affiliated with rural communities • 22 partners who contributed to our blog • Media • The public

And finally... A huge thank you to our local volunteer committees who su pported this campaign financially with a total of £8,502 for advertisin g on Facebook and helped spread the ca mpaign message into local communitie s by tweeting.

www.crimestoppers-uk.org | 0800 555 1 1 1

#RuralCrim

SUMMER 2014 | 11

Youth workers become Crimestoppers 50 of south Cumbria’s youth workers and teachers attended a Fearless conference in Kendal, organised by Crimestoppers. The event was opened by the Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes. The day focused on protecting and safeguarding young people, with sessions on cybercrime, internet safety, restorative justice and the dangers of legal highs. Delegates were also introduced to the Fearless programme and given access to the latest educational tools and resources.

G4S supports

Fearless Left: Greg Gibson, Crimestoppers volunteer, at a Fearless ‘Train the Trainer’ session

Right: One of the many Fearless posters

12 | SUMMER 2014

G4S has joined forces with the Crimestoppers youth team, Fearless, in a unique partnership to fight youth crime. G4S volunteers who are keen to make an impact within their local communities, are supporting Crimestoppers’ Fearless programme by delivering ‘Train the Trainer’ sessions for youth workers in key areas across the UK including Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Midlands and London, thereby equipping them with the

Lynda Shaw, Chair of Crimestoppers in Cumbria said: “We are very proud to be able to say that Crimestoppers is making a real difference in Cumbria and this is a great way to reach and educate our young people through their youth leaders and teachers. Richard Rhodes, Police and Crime Commissioner said: “I was delighted to attend the conference, and show my support for this great initiative by Crimestoppers. I learnt a lot during the day and I am keen to do what I can to promote activities that help keep our young people safe.”

knowledge and tools to deliver the Fearless message to young people in their areas. This partnership is a first for both parties and has the huge potential of dramatically increasing the number of young people that Fearless can reach in the UK. The funding that G4S has provided ensures that their volunteers are being supported throughout the process of training and then delivery in their local areas. G4S all bring with them key skills and the necessary

commitment that will be able to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of many young people across the country. Going forward it is planned that G4S and Crimestoppers will continue to work together by increasing the number of training sessions that Fearless offers, helping to educate and empower young people with the knowledge and choices that will enable them to make their own community a safer place.

CONNECT | ISSUE 14

Be Fearless against crime in Sheffield Samuel Evans, Fearless Outreach Coordinator in Sheffield, has been delivering Fearless workshops with young people across the city since March 2014. The workshops are designed to raise the profile of Fearless.org as a safe option for young people to pass on information about crime with the underlying theme to explore the importance of individual ‘choices and consequences’. With all of the youth clubs in the north of the city having received a Fearless input, Sam is now starting to roll the programme out to those centres in the east of the city with the support of the Young Advisors Team from Sheffield Futures, an independent charity helping young people and adults to achieve their full potential in learning, employment and life and who are supporting the delivery of the Fearless programme. Activity to date since March 2014

Number of professionals trained as part of the Fearless ‘Train the Trainer’ programme

This activity has resulted in a

36%

Total number of d workshops delivere le op pe g un to yo

Number o f young peo ple reached

er increase in the numb g itin vis le op pe g of youn bsite we rg s.o es arl Fe the e compared to the sam ar. period last ye

For more info about the project contact Samuel Evans at samuel.evans@crimestoppers-uk.org

www.crimestoppers-uk.org | 0800 555 1 1 1

Hampshire focus on the protection of young people The Crimestoppers team in Hampshire have placed young people at the heart of their strategy for the coming year with partner agencies keen to support their initiative. In one project, working closely with PCC Simon Hayes and his office, the committee are developing plans to take Fearless.org into secondary schools (Year nine) across the region as well as working to ensure that they reach out to young people who fall outside of this environment. Following the ‘Train the Trainer’ sessions with Youth Offending Teams and local police, PC Mark Walsh felt so strongly in the value of the Crimestoppers’ youth service that he has embedded it as the backbone for the ‘education’ part of the Hampshire Community Court. This pilot restorative justice project in Hampshire sees young people from the community trained and empowered to help other young people who get into trouble for minor or first time offending. Continuing their strong commitment to partnership working, the committee have also held a conference on child sexual exploitation with an emphasis on the exploitation of vulnerable young people, gang culture and the emerging priority of online safety. The conference aims to reinforce the value of the Charity and Fearless.org to the aims of relevant agencies themselves and looks to ensure joined up and cost effective work across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

www.fearless.org SUMMER 2014 | 13

events

London Marathon

2014

Building relationships with our supporters is a vital part of our work. Through a series of events we engage, inform and interact with those who are also committed to playing their part in fighting crime and making safer communities. Our supporters tell us that not only do they want to raise money to support Crimestoppers, but that they also feel they have a role to play in raising awareness of our campaigning work and the unique service we provide. As an organisation we recognise the importance of working with our supporters and the public. On a glorious day in April, 33 intrepid Crimestoppers supporters took part in the world’s biggest fundraising event, the Virgin Money London Marathon.

Alongside the professional marathon runners, they joined over 35,000 other participants - all raising money the hard way! Crimestoppers understand the dedication and unstinting effort required, not only to train for a marathon, but also to raise a significant amount of sponsorship, particularly during these challenging financial times. We aim to demonstrate how much we value our fundraisers by providing the very best support possible despite limited resources. Feedback received from our runners has told us that 100% of respondents rated the support given by the Charity as either good or excellent; the same number would also recommend Crimestoppers to a friend.

“I want to thank Crimestoppers for all your support throughout the build-up and the race weekend. The support and advice I received was invaluable and really made the impossible seem possible. Also thank you to the Crimestoppers Volunteers for waiting at the cheer point for me to go past, it was a huge boost when I was really struggling.” Simon Sammut.

Saying Thank You: New Scotland Yard Dinner introductions and facilitate opportunities for our partners. We recognise that this is an opportunity for everyone to network, share ideas and take plans forward with a view to reducing crime.

Baroness Newlove

Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe (Queen’s Police Medal)

Following quickly on the heels of the London Marathon we held our annual dinner at New Scotland Yard in May, sponsored by the Kelly Group. Attended by over 90 guests representing our partners from the public and private sectors, law enforcement and members of our Board of Trustees, the event provided the Charity with a valuable opportunity to develop relationships with supporters old and new. Another important aim of the event is for Crimestoppers to identify where we can make 14 | SUMMER 2014

Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe QPM, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), told guests that he considered Crimestoppers relationship with MPS to be an example of an “excellent partnership”. Guests also heard from Baroness Newlove, Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, who delivered a powerful and moving speech on the devastating effect crime can have on victims and called for the ‘rehabilitation of victims’. She commented, “Listening and sharing the terrible impact of crime on our communities is vital to understanding how we can provide the best possible support to victims across the country.”

CONNECT | ISSUE 14

regionalnews Scotland

HOUSEBREAKING CAMPAIGN In May, Crimestoppers in Scotland launched a national housebreaking campaign (known as burglary in England), aimed at gathering intelligence and raising awareness of the Charity. This campaign was promoted throughout Scotland, with widespread advertising at train stations and on buses, as well as an extensive social media campaign and the distribution of 150,000 postcards and 15,000 posters in community centres, shops, petrol stations, doctors’ surgeries, leisure centres and council offices. Housebreaking was identified as a local concern in numerous Scottish communities, a concern backed up by the fact that Police Scotland recorded a 4% increase in this type of crime last year. Amanda West, Crimestoppers Co-ordinator for this campaign, said: “Police Scotland made the decision to prioritise this concern and Crimestoppers Scotland were delighted to be able to support their initiative by providing a conduit for the public to safely give information about those committing housebreaking and selling stolen goods with complete anonymity. The impact of housebreaking cannot be underestimated, as victims can be left traumatised and terrified that the intruder may return, or bereft at the loss of sentimental, irreplaceable items.”

The relationship between Crimestoppers and Police Scotland is incredibly strong and positive, and Dave Hunter, Regional Manager for Scotland, said: “In the short time I have been working with Police Scotland, I have been blown away by the fantastic attitude from all levels in the force. I would particularly praise the nominated Crimestoppers SPOC (Single Point of Contact) Supt John Paterson who has been superb to work with. I see this campaign as a typical example of how well Crimestoppers and Police Scotland work together. The future is incredibly positive.”

West Country

QUIZ ON THE PIER Crimestoppers in the West Country held its first ever “Quiz on the Pier” fundraising and awareness event on Friday 16th May in the Edwardian style Tiffany Tea Rooms at the end of The Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare. The event was a complete sell out with 23 teams taking part. A raffle was held on the night with some great prizes, which included First Class return rail travel for two, four tickets to see “Tonight’s the Night” the Rod Stewart musical and a hotel stay for two. The event was a great success and it is hoped that it will become an annual event.

www.crimestoppers-uk.org | 0800 555 1 1 1

The winning team from Quiz on the Pier

SUMMER 2014 | 15

regionalnews

Greater Manchester

CATCH ‘EM OUT Greater Manchester Crimestoppers joined with Lancashire County Cricket Club to launch a major campaign to tackle crime in Greater Manchester and Lancashire. The campaign, Catch ’em out, challenges the public to stand up to criminals operating in their community and report their activities anonymously to Crimestoppers. Working in partnership with the LCCC Foundation, Crimestoppers will be attending all this season’s NatWest T20 Blast matches at Emirates Old Trafford and the Investec Test Match against India. Volunteers from the Charity will be talking to the public and giving out information on the Charity and how to contact them, and messages will be displayed on the big screen during matches. The Charity will also be attending community days at the ground and schools events promoting their youth website Fearless.org. Gary Murray, North West Regional Manager said: “Many people do not know what we do or how they can contact us, so this is a great way to get the message across to the public. Last year over 20,000 people contacted us in the North West leading to over 1,400 arrests; so Crimestoppers

really does make a difference to communities. Let’s hope we catch quite a few criminals out.” Lancashire and England spinner Stephen Parry, who helped launch the campaign during the lunch interval of this week’s LV= County Championship match against Somerset, said: “Being born and bred in Lancashire I know how important safer communities are and the difference that Crimestoppers makes. I am delighted to support the Catch ’em out campaign and hope that working together we will be a winning team.”

Photo of launch with Carol Elliott, Crimestoppers Volunteer, Stephen Parry, Lancashire CCC and Gary Murray, Crimestoppers NW Regional Manager.

Merseyside

People of Liverpool say no to crime A new campaign ‘Whose side are you on?’ was launched at a reception in Rathbone Hall, Liverpool in March and was attended by Crimestoppers Chairs from across the North West, Liverpool football legend David Fairclough, radio presenter Pete Price and Crimestoppers CEO Mark Hallas. The campaign challenged the public to make a choice between who they are going to support; their community or the criminals, and has seen a 25% increase in members of the public contacting the Charity from across Merseyside. Last year was a record year for Crimestoppers in the area with 4,874

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people reporting crime to the Charity leading to arrests, drug seizures, and guns being taken from the streets. Over 470 people contacted the Charity in the three weeks following the campaign launch alone. Roy Morris, Chair of Merseyside Crimestoppers said: “The response from the people of Liverpool has been fantastic. People really want to make a difference to where they live and they are sending out a clear message to the criminals. You are not wanted in our communities.”

you wish to support; your community or the criminals.”

David Fairclough, Liverpool FC legend who launched the campaign said: “I am delighted to support this campaign and the work that Crimestoppers do. Whether you are a Blue or a Red, choose which side

“We are reliant on the information provided by communities if we are to make an impact and make our streets safer for future generations. The information that Crimestoppers passes to us is vital.”

CONNECT | ISSUE 14

regionalnews

Essex

West Midlands

SHOPLIFTERS BEWARE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS. A new campaign by the Charity has been encouraging people in Dudley and Birmingham with information on those stealing from shops, to call Crimestoppers anonymously.

ESSEX RECRUITS AMBASSADORS Crimestoppers in Essex is recruiting Ambassadors to help keep communities safer. The Ambassadors Programme aims to establish a network of people within organisations and agencies who may be in contact with criminals or their families, or with those who are abused, vulnerable or victims of crime. More than 500 individuals have so far been recruited from over 30 organisations throughout the county since the programme was officially launched last November. Pilot schemes were introduced earlier last year. The Ambassadors Programme, devised by Crimestoppers volunteer Colin Dobinson, is designed to increase the number of calls by seeking information from those who are more closely linked to, or may have inside or special knowledge of, crimes and criminals.

Ambassadors’ organisations include youth offending and drug and alcohol teams, women’s aid groups, community safety partnerships, YMCAs, housing associations, children’s care organisations, park rangers, security companies, voluntary service agencies and local authorities. All recruits are given a special Ambassadors’ leaflet and other appropriate Crimestoppers marketing material.

Pauline Hadley, West Midlands Regional Manager, said: “Sometimes these crimes are perceived as being victimless, particularly if thefts are from the larger stores. However, we are all victims as a result of the higher costs we pay for our groceries and clothes because of these thieves. The trauma caused to shop staff who are sometimes threatened, also cannot be underestimated.” “There are serious organised groups as well as small-time criminals behind shoplifting sprees so we urge anyone with information to call the charity and put an end to their criminal attacks”

Funding for the programme for in the first year was gained from the Essex Community Foundation and other funds came through the Crimestoppers Percy Hoskins award. Local Crimestoppers Chairman Stuart Rawlins, said: “Colin’s idea for this programme is an example of using resources already in place to more effectively broadcast our messages to targeted audiences. It’s simple, really effective, and is a contributory factor in increasing results in Essex.”

www.crimestoppers-uk.org | 0800 555 1 1 1

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regionalnews

London

DRIVING DOWN CRIME IN CROYDON Crimestoppers in London were approached by the London Borough of Croydon, who have some 900 pay and display machines on and off-street. These meters have been under constant attack since May 2013 for theft of monies by criminals who either block the coin acceptor which traps the coins only for the thief to retrieve the money later, or by drilling a large hole into the back, side and bottom of the pay and display machine to steal the coins. The impact is significant both to the motorist left without a pay and display ticket to place in their vehicle, and the council who was deprived of parking fee income. Research has shown that people

are less likely to commit a crime if they feel “watched”, so artwork was created that incorporated “eyes” to deter criminals. Crimestoppers created a series of materials (stickers on the parking meters and posters in Council areas) that were used throughout key areas of Croydon to deter criminals and also prompt the public to come forward with information about the perpetrators of the crimes. Full support was given to the campaign by Croydon Council and Crimestoppers issued a press release to local media and ensured

messages were shared via social media. Croydon Council have confirmed that since the campaign began, reports to their call-centre regarding broken and ineffective parking meters reduced by 93%. It also became easier for the public to park.

Leicestershire & Rutland

Leicester’s Got Talent Back For Third Year Leicester’s Got Talent (LGT) will be returning to the city on November 29th 2014 at the Y Theatre for the third year in a row. Following the success of the last two competitions, this year’s event will again be organised by Pukaar News and Anand International in association with Crimestoppers and Leicestershire Police. Leicester’s Got Talent, a not-for-profit event, was created in a bid to unite the young people of Leicester by bringing the community together in an environment which is welcoming and safe. The competition gives young people an opportunity to share their passions and creativity with people, whilst

18 | SUMMER 2014

also helping to build their confidence and have their talent recognised by a wider audience. The aim is to raise the profile of Crimestoppers in areas of Leicester, such as Belgrave, Syston, Evington, Highfields, St Mathews, Humberstone and Thurnby Lodge. LGT will help improve engagement with the residents of Leicestershire, developing their confidence in Crimestoppers and the police, to encourage community members to report crimes and information about crimes. This event helps the local Crimestoppers volunteers increase contact with the community and gives them the opportunity to raise people’s awareness of Crimestoppers and what we do. As a result of last year’s event, we engaged with over 200 people including contestants, family, friends as well as YMCA service users and staff. This led to new visits on the Fearless website, increasing by over 82% for Leicester, 77% for Loughborough and by 50% for Coalville and Oakham.

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regionalnews

Sussex

Bradford

HELP STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING WITH CRIMESTOPPERS The Sussex branch of crime-fighting Charity Crimestoppers, supported by G4S Secure Solutions, launched a Human Trafficking campaign on 28th March to help stop people exploiting Gatwick Airport for a much darker purpose. The ‘Break the Pattern’ anti-human trafficking campaign was launched at the Gatwick Hilton Hotel with a stallholder event for people who work at the airport to find out more about this crime type and support Crimestoppers. Helping to raise awareness and reduce this type of crime, were a number of local and national anti-human trafficking organisations. They were on hand to answer questions and share advice on what to look out for as well as encourage the reporting of signs that this crime may be happening. Feedback from attendees was extremely positive, especially as guests were educated on the scale and extent of trafficking in its various guises. One photograph of a trafficker who had recently been prosecuted was a young woman on a beach with a small child – not the conventional image of how most people would view the perpetrators of these crimes. Dr Peter James, Co-Patron of Sussex Crimestoppers, said: “Many of us have seen things in our everyday lives which may not seem right and, if you look twice, could actually form a pattern of criminal behaviour. People working at Gatwick Airport are very much in the front line when it comes to human trafficking which makes it critical that they are aware of the signs that this could be happening.”

WARNING TO DRUG DEALERS IN BRADFORD A community group in Bradford called upon support from Crimestoppers to help tackle drugs in the local area. With engagement from the council, police and a local primary school, an anti-drugs campaign in Lidget Green was launched. The Lidget Green Primary School encouraged the children to come up with poster ideas to help tackle the issue of drugs. These ideas were transposed into the creation of new artwork, which also proved to be hugely popular in other areas due to its eye-catching imagery. The poster was then recreated in six other languages, which were representative of the diverse community this campaign aimed to reach. The campaign was launched at the local ASDA, with the PCC, Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford and a number of key local supporters in attendance. The children of the local school also came along and were very proud to show the work they had put in to raise awareness of drug dealing in their area. The artwork has since been used as one of the key messages in Humberside International airport.

Dr Peter James, Author, Katy Bourne, Sussex PCC and Mark Hallas, Crimestoppers CEO

www.crimestoppers-uk.org | 0800 555 1 1 1

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DO THE PUBLIC THINK... #CRIMEMATTERS?

1,950 respondents

40% 60%

53% 73% 80%

between 25-44 years of age of people did NOT know Crimestoppers was a charity believe Crimestoppers is funded by the government or local police

93%

believe everyone has a responsibility to prevent crime

Our top 3 functions

1 2 3

Let people provide anonymous information about crime Help the police identify and track down criminals Educate the public about crime prevention

How do the public want to get involved?

43%

Crimes people care about Nationally Locally

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Rape/Sexual offences, Terrorism and Murder

would volunteer for a local group

29% 12%

would donate

would fundraise

Burglary, Theft and Robbery CONNECT | ISSUE 14