BALLARAT residents are being asked to “dob in a dealer” to help tackle the city’s ice scourge.
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Crime Stoppers, Ballarat police and the state government launched the two-week campaign on Monday.
Residents will be able to anonymously call Crime Stoppers with information about the manufacturing and distribution of crystal methamphetamine.
The campaign will help police gather intelligence about Ballarat drug suppliers.
Ballarat Police Superintendent Andrew Allen encouraged residents to make the call.
“All information will be assessed accordingly ... We will endeavour to, hopefully, cut off the supply (of ice) into Ballarat and surrounding areas,” he said.
Police said any information about foot or vehicle traffic to certain addresses, times and dates and vehicle registration numbers could be provided to the hotline.
“The more information people can give us through the Crime Stoppers number, the better chance we will have of hopefully tracking down those people,” Superintendent Allen said.
He said ice contributed to the level of crime in Ballarat.
“Issues of crystal methamphetamine in the community is an entire community concern.”
Crime Stoppers Victoria chief executive Samantha Hunter said calls received in Warrnambool increased by 300 per cent during the campaign.
“We have received significant responses from residents in Geelong and Warrnambool over the past month,” she said.
“Making a report to Crime Stoppers is completely confidential and you will never be identified or called up for a court case.”
Rollouts of the program will soon begin in Ararat, Horsham, Portland, Hamilton and Mildura.
Ms Hunter said she would return to Ballarat to deliver a report on the volume of Crime Stopper calls in the campaign.
Wendouree MP Sharon Knight represented Police Minister Wade Noonan at the campaign launch on Monday.
If you have any information on dealers, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or at crimestoppersvic.com.au.
kara.irving@fairfaxmedia.com.au