UNSOLVED CRIMES

There are a number of unsolved crimes in New Zealand, from not so serious crimes to serious crimes, like a number of murders, including one we have been featuring on our home page. It is most unlikely that these crimes have been committed and the only person who knows of them is the person who did the crime. People close to the person who commited the crime will have seen changes in behaviour, blood on clothes, a likely weapon, unexplained absences at the time of the crimes, property that has appeared that has not been purchased, extra unexplained money and so on. People close to the criminal don't want to believe ill of the person they live with, know, are related to, and so rationalise away the thought of them committing the crime. It is easy to do especially if it is a loved one who is suspected. Is it legal? is it justified? is it fair? is it fair to the victim's family, will you ever be at peace? These questions must be asked. If you have this type of information go to the Police in the first instance, but if this is too much give the information to Crimestoppers by phoning 0800 555 111 or by using the online encrypted message form. This will give you peace of mind and more importantly closure to the loved ones of the victim of the crime. Put yourself in their place and ask yourself; how would you feel?

STATISTICS FOR FIRST THREE MONTHS

Two weeks ago I released to the media the call statistics for the first three months of Crimestoppers operations in New Zealand. The media gave this information plenty of coverage. The statistics are very encouraging and certainly vindicate the establishment of Crimestoppers in NZ. In three months over 1700 calls have been received with nearly 700 categorised as actionable (enough information in quality and quantity for Police to do something) The Police are now in the process of collating what has occurred but I can say that people have been arrested and charged as a result of information provided by Crimestoppers. We are very pleased with the response of New Zealanders. The opportunity for individuals to do something about crime without endangering themselves is a big motivator. Crimestoppers aim is to mobilise New Zealanders to take action against crime. We want to have criminals with nowhere to hide whether they be involved in the illegal drug trade, theft in all its forms, illegal sexual activities, domestic violence whether against partners or children, possessing weapons illegally or wanted by the Police. If you know about crime, take action. Either contact the police or give the information anonymously to crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or using the online message form on Crimestoppers Website crimestoppers-nz.org We can get safer communities if everyone plays their part.

WAR ON DRUGS

A recent news article highlighted the recent successes of the Police as they fight to reduce illegal drug use in New Zealand. They have been given new powers by the Government to assist in this process. It is still vitally important that we all add our assistance to the issue - drug pushers are known to both criminals and law abiding citizens. We all need to provide that information to the Police or if this is too difficult we now have another facility - to ring CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111 and report the information anonymously or provide the information on the online message form found at crimestoppers-nz.org. Let us not kid ourselves about managing the use of drugs and it is about time that the term "recreational drugs" is removed from any discussions. Drugs are extremely destructive to the individual involved and cause dispair and heartbreak to parents, siblings and friends. They often feel helpless as a loved one destroys themself. Let us stop the RATBAGS that operate in this drug trade. Do something, make a difference - ring Crimestoppers and help put an end to those who peddle this misery. These people have no redeeming features - they try and hook young and vulnerable teenagers on drugs. YOU ARE NOW EMPOWERED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE PREDICTMENT - DO IT.

STATISTICS FOR FIRST TWO MONTHS

The statistics for the first two months of operations are now available. In that period 1057 calls have been taken by the Crimestoppers Call Centre in the UK. 460 of these calls have been categorised as actionable, that is, they have enough information, in both quality and quantity, for the Police to do something with; and they have. The main crime reported is the manufacture, supply and distribution of drugs. Theft was the next highest crime, followed by information on wanted persons, sexual offences and possession of weapons. Over the period 75% of the calls were from the North Island, half of which come from the Auckland area and 25% from the South Island with over 60% from Christchurch. Calls on phones made up 80% of calls while 20% use the online message form.

In summary, after a burst of calls in the first 10 days, 380 calls received following the publicity of the launch, we have now settled into a steady state situation. The TelstraClear advertisements from 6 to 19 December, have seen an increase in calls upto the cut off date of 12 December. There is no doubt as Crimestoppers becomes more well known and people get to know the 0800 555 111 number calls will steadily increase. This has occurred in the UK over the last twenty years. In the first two months Crimestoppers New Zealand has operated in the way that was envisaged which confirms that New Zealanders were ready for the services offered - that is, providing individuals the opportunity to provide information about crime anonymously by ringing 0800 555 111 or using the online message form. Crimestoppers wishes you a happy and safe Christmas and New Year. We all contribute to this environment.

CHRISTMAS - NEW YEAR PERIOD

We are now really into the festive season and it is about having fun and enjoying yourself. However, this is a very dangerous time if one does not keep their 'wits about them'. Abuse of alcohol enhances one's chances of getting into trouble with the law - wilful damage to property, theft of property, verbal and physical assault, sexual offences and consumption of illegal drugs to identify just a few of the offences. The police are working hard to bring the message home to people. No one wants to spoil the party and festive activities but anti social behaviour can have a huge impact on law abiding citizens. A report in the newspaper today highlights the dangers of drug use due to the ingredients which are now being included. The other point to make is the very misleading term, recreational drugs, used by the media. This implies that these drugs are harmless. Drugs are illegal for good reason - they are not harmless and have the potential to do physical and mental harm including killing you. Also during this period people need to take care of their property - families depart for holidays leaving many family treasures at home. Ensure your homes are secure and ask neighbours to keep an 'eye' on your home.
If you see illegal activities during this period don't ignore it, ring the Police. If you are uncomfortable doing this for whatever reason, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or use the online message form on the website crimestoppers-nz.org The Crimestoppers mantra is "we want to know the information you have, not who you are". WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT CRIME.

PROVIDER OF INFORMATION

I have just received a very encouraging email from someone who had provided information on a drug supplier that has lead to police action. The person was expressing thanks for the introduction of Crimestoppers to New Zealand. The thing that empowered the person to give the information was the guarantee of anonymity. The person was too frightened to go to the Police. I would like to thank the person for the courage thay showed in taking this action and not just sitting on the information. I encourage all other citizens concerned about criminality they know about to provide that information to Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 or on the online message form if going to the Police is too difficult.

I have not published the individual's email because it may have revealed who they are. But I thank that person for their courage and good citizenship. If we all take this approach we can do something about crime.

METHAMPHETAMINE - P

My knowledge of this drug is that it is not confined to any particular group in our society. I make this comment in response to a comment sent in to me anonymously. The Crime Gangs behind its funding, manufacture, supply and distribution are generally not users, are far enough removed from the work face to be largely anonymous, can often appear to be law abiding citizens, are involved because of the money to be made (it's a billion dollar business in NZ) and have no conscience in regards the misery they cause. Unfortunately many users of this drug believe thay can manage it but most are very quickly trapped into the web of distruction and havoc that results from addiction. On a per capita basis NZ is the largest user of P in the world. The best way to tackle this problem is do not get involved at all, and if you know information about those involved do not delay in giving that information to the Police or if not possible because of fear then provide that information to Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or use the encrypted online message form. We can win this fight against P if we all do our bit - Crimestoppers empowers the individual to do something about this drug use. Anonymity is guaranteed.