Crimestoppers calls lead to hundreds of arrests

Independent charity Crimestoppers Scotland and its youth programme Fearless received a record 16,500 calls and contacts from the Scottish public in the past yer.

This increase sees the most sharing of information to Police Scotland and Law Enforcement ever – representing a ten per cent increase in crime information compared to 2019/20 and a 65 per cent increase over five years.

Responding to school and youth service closures, Fearless delivered 12 Scotlandwide campaigns focused on empowering young people with key information about high harm crimes.

More than 58,000 young people from all across Scotland visited the charity’s youth website Fearless.org and reported crime - 100 per cent anonymously - more than ever before.

Information from the public resulted in 549 criminals being arrested and charged, three people arrested and charged with murder/unlawful killings, £1.5million in street drugs recovered, 27 disqualified and uninsured drivers arrested and charged, six wanted persons and fugitives were arrested and charged and five arrested for possession of a firearm and five firearms and one ammunition recovered.

Angela Parker, national manager for Crimestoppers Scotland, said:“The past year has been unprecedented and very challenging, but people across Scotland came forward and trusted us with their information.

“From drug dealing to child harm and neglect, we heard from thousands of people concerned about crime in communities.

“We are so encouraged and grateful for the people who contacted our charity thanks to the Scottish public, life is better for many and communities are safer.”

If you have any information you’d like to share with Crimestoppers, call 0800 555 111.