As Crime Stoppers celebrates three decades since it began, Armidale Superintendent Scott Tanner described it as an invaluable tool for fighting crime.
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"It gives police information that may not have been made available if Crime Stoppers did not exist," he said.
"When I was in Dubbo I ran a 'Dob in Dealer' campaign through Crime Stoppers which focused on drug supply in the Wellington area.
"We went from receiving 2 to 3 reports a week to 8 to 10 a day. The operation directly led to a number of search warrants being executed and 8 people put before the court for drug supply offences. I am a big supporter of Crime Stoppers.
Crime Stoppers CEO, Peter Price AM, said we cannot underestimate the valuable contribution the community plays in solving crime.
For 30 years, NSW Crime Stoppers have played a critical role in helping solve crime across the state, with the assistance of the NSW Police Force and the community.
The organisation has been a global leader in the Crime Stoppers family since its inception in 1989 and has been acknowledged for the following significant milestones:
- The first in the world to enable online reporting
- The first in the world to enable mobile phone reporting
- The first in the world to create a social media platform recognised as world's best practice the last four years in a row
- The first in the world to develop and implement a defensive cybercrime strategy through public education
- The first in Australia to take information on domestic violence
NSW Crime Stoppers forms part of a global network which helps solve a crime every 14 minutes around the world. The NSW organisation is contacted every six minutes, with information leading to an average of four arrests per day.
In the last 20 years, contact to NSW Crime Stoppers has increased from 150 reports each month to almost 8000 per month, with that number likely to continue to rise.
According to the Crime Stoppers Economic and Social Impact of Crime Stoppers Report February 2018, the added economic value of Crime Stoppers in 2017 was $60 million with $11.15 added value for every dollar invested.
In all of this, Crime Stoppers could not continue to exist and contribute to crime solving if it weren't for the collaborative efforts of the NSW Police Force and the community.
"We know from history that public support helps police intervene in criminal activity and disrupt organised gangs who are responsible for a range of crimes. We all want our children, families and friends to feel safe in our own homes and communities," Mr Price said.
"We don't want to know who you are, we just want to know what you know. We're asking you to be a mate and look out for the welfare of others by reporting to Crime Stoppers."
Sydney City Police Area Commander, Acting Superintendent John Maricic APM thanked the community for getting behind the work of the NSW Police Force and NSW Crime Stoppers.
"Our officers see the impact of crime on the community on a daily basis, and we want the public to continue to help us disrupt and prevent illegal activity, so we can achieve more positive outcomes," A/Supt Maricic said.
"We know that a whole-of-community approach is necessary to effectively tackle criminal behaviour, which is why it is so important to recognise the achievements from the past 30 years."
