Increase in informants leading to more arrests in Gloucestershire (From Gazette Series)

Gloucestershire Police arresting more people thanks to an increase of informants calling Gloucestershire Crimestoppers

12:12pm Friday 1st February 2013 in News By Daniel Chipperfield

THE NUMBER of informants reporting to Gloucestershire Crimestoppers has increased by 27 per cent on the previous year – leading to 85 people being arrested and charged.

As a result of information passed to the charity in the last nine months, two people on average were arrested and charged each week.

Gloucestershire Police was provided with 706 pieces of useful information over the last three quarter year period, representing a two per cent increase over the same period last year.

Ceri Evans, Chairman of the Gloucestershire Crimestoppers Committee, said: 'This huge increase in the use of the 0800 555 111 number in Gloucestershire is very encouraging to all involved in Crimestoppers locally and will, undoubtedly, result in an increase in detections and a reduction in crime which will make us all feel much safer.

“Gloucestershire Crimestoppers urges everyone to make a note of the number and use it when they notice anything worth reporting, no matter how trivial, in the certain knowledge that they will remain anonymous”

One success involved a positive CCTV identification from a media appeal. A caller positively identified the offender in the newspaper who was charged with five counts of theft and handling of stolen goods.

40 per cent of information received related to drug crime and 14 per cent related to vehicle crime including drink and disqualified driving.