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ENGAGING
ESSEX

PCC supports campaign in fight against burglary

The independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers is this week launching a campaign to get Basildon residents to tell what they know about any burglaries or stolen goods – and they could even get a cash reward.

The intiative is being supported by Nick Alston, Essex Police and Crime Commissioner.

 The campaign starts this bank holiday Monday with a Crimestoppers ad-van touring the district for the whole week. It continues for the next few months with postcards being put through letterboxes of homes, corex boards being displayed in community areas, bus shelter advertising, bus ticket advertising, Facebook adverts, Bluetooth messaging and radio adverts.

Ann Scott, Eastern Regional Manager for Crimestoppers, said: “Those that do not want to speak with Essex Police on 101 can use the Crimestoppers 24 hour phone number of 0800 555 111 where they can give information about crime 100% anonymously. Information can also be given online via a secure form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org People often ask me why someone would not contact Police if they knew about a burglary or someone handling stolen goods. Sometimes, the offer of a reward can bring someone forward but generally it’s the sense of wanting to make their community safer without having to reveal their identity. If a burglar is operating down your street it can be a real concern for people that the criminal might find out what they have done – Crimestoppers removes that concern and gives people peace of mind.”

Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, said: “I welcome any effort to encourage people to come forward with information about people who are committing burglaries or handling stolen goods.

“Burglary is a shocking crime which often has a lasting impact on its victims and I’m pleased to support Crimestoppers in their efforts to help drive down this offence and catch those responsible.

“Essex Police is successfully using new techniques to tackle burglary, and this has led to a decrease of almost 10 per cent in house burglaries since October 2013.  But one burglary is always one too many, so let’s get behind Crimestoppers and use every means possible to tackle the burglars and those criminals who sell property stolen in burglaries.”

Stuart Rawlins, Chairman of Essex Crimestoppers, added: “Being burgled is not just about losing possessions, it also robs you of feeling safe in your own home. People should be able to feel secure and confident in their homes. No one has anything to fear by contacting Crimestoppers as you will remain anonymous. We never ask for your name, no personal details are taken, calls are not traced or recorded and you will not have to go to court or give a statement to the police. In the 26 years that Crimestoppers has been running we have never broken our promise of anonymity.”

The appeal by the charity follows a crackdown on burglary in the county by Police. In Basildon already this year Police have issued residents with property marking kits and have targeted patrols using predictive policing tools. Latest figures show there have been 74 less offences compared to this time last year. Nick Alston, The Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, has funded this campaign, understanding that not everyone wants to speak with Police. 

Crimestoppers plays a significant part in the fight against crime. 1000 people every day contact the charity to put their trust in them with information about crime which leads to 22 arrests every day being made by Police as result of that information. A similar campaign run at the start of this year across the districts of Castle Point & Rochford, Chelmsford & Maldon, Epping Forest & Brentwood and Tendring saw 20 pieces of information generated compared to 2 the year before. This led to 4 arrests compared to 1 arrest the year before.

Members of the public are eligible to claim a reward of up to £1000 if their information given to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 leads to a successful arrest and charge. They can also complete a ‘giving information’ form on the Crimestoppers website www.crimestoppers-uk.org  but rewards cannot be claimed this

 

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PFCC for Essex, Kelvedon Park, London Road, Rivenhall, Witham, Essex, CM8 3HB
01245 291600

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