The community’s fight-back against repeat criminals is working – with the 2016 Ballarat Crime Stoppers campaign yielding a near 100 per cent success rate.
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Crime Stoppers recorded its most successful year statewide in 2016, that was repeated in Ballarat where 22 of 23 alleged offenders whose images were released during a crime busting campaign were arrested.
Crime Stoppers chief executive Samantha Hunt said the Crime Stoppers and The Courier collaboration was so successful the campaign would be replicated throughout regional Victoria this year.
Victorians contacted Crime Stoppers more than 81,000 times during 2016, leading to more than 1500 arrests and almost 5600 charges being laid across the state.
“The role the community plays in helping Crime Stoppers and Victoria Police is incredibly important as they have access to information nobody knows,” Ms Hunt said.
“Reports help Victoria Police save investigative time. Every piece of information is adding to the police intelligence leading to quicker arrests and allowing police to spend more time on the street.”
On top of the arrests made in 2016, information provided to Crime Stoppers led to the seizure of more than $7 million worth of drugs, $1.8 million worth of property and almost $350,000 in cash.
The success of the Ballarat campaign (was achieved) because the media is in tune with the local community.
- Samantha Hunt
“The success of the Ballarat campaign (was achieved) because the media is in tune with the local community,” Ms Hunt said.
“Over 30 years we’ve really built up great trust with the community. They understand when they are talking to us it is confidential and they are talking to a civilian.”
Police Minister Lisa Neville said the state government would continue to support Crime Stoppers and the role it plays in the community.
“Crime Stoppers has been providing an invaluable service to Victoria for the last 30 years – proving that people power really does make a difference,” Ms Neville said.
“All Victorians should be proud of what Crime Stoppers Victoria has achieved, and be confident that they can report crime confidentially.”