You can run but you can't hide...

So to tell you all about yet another victory in the fight against crime!

Last Friday one of Britain's most wanted fugitives was caught and arrested in the Elland area of West Yorkshire. Edward Oliver Morton had featured on crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers' website on their Most Wanted page and was known to be on-the-run from law enforcement.

He was arrested on behalf of the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) by West Yorkshire police on Friday evening after being sought for suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A and class B drugs. Great work everybody!

So you can run but you can't hide....

Drug dealer caught on camera by their own CCTV

Today I read about dopey drug dealer Darren Bradley, who has been jailed after he was found guilty of conspiracy to to supply cannabis.

In February this year, police raided homes and businesses connected to the drug dealer.  In the boot of his car they discovered a 16.7lb [7.6kg] stash of cannabis and at his mother's house they found a pistol and eight bullets.

Bradley claimed to have no knowledge of the cannabis - despite it being in his own car - or the gun, saying that he didn't even notice the smell of the drugs.  Mr Bradley's mother was even arrested as the gun and bullets were discovered in her house.

But police found the proof they needed to show that Bradley wasn't being truthful when they checked the drug dealer's own CCTV system. Footage from the cameras at Mr Bradley's home showed him inspecting the huge stash of cannabis, believed to be worth around £38,000.  His fingerprints were also found on the pistol and his 65-year-old mother was later released without charge.

Job done!

Tackling crime in Glasgow proves a safe bet

I'm pleased to tell you about a new initiative in Scotland that's tackling crime in Glasgow's East End. Scotland Crimestoppers have partnered up with William Hill and Strathclyde Police for the joint campaign that focuses on betting shops in Springboig.

Launched on 21 September, the campaign is aimed at ensuring that betting shops remain safe for customers and staff, prevent them from being targets for criminals and also to encourage anyone who has any information on crime to report it to Crimestoppers anonymously.
The campaign centres on the bookmaker’s betting shops in Crammond Terrace, Edinburgh Road, Tollcross Road and Westmuir Street and involves distributing leaflets and posters in the surrounding shops and houses.

As well as reminding people how they can contact Crimestoppers if they have information on crime they wish to give anonymously, the public are also reminded that people could qualify for a cash reward of up to £10,000 through the Association of British Bookmakers. Yes, you heard me right...that's 10,000 smackeroonies up for grabs!

This reward scheme makes payments to members of the public for their assistance in achieving a successful prosecution following a robbery of a betting shop(s) or an attack on betting shop staff.

If you would like to give information anonymously about a robbery at a betting shop, an attack on betting shop staff or any other crime you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or fill out our untraceable online Giving Information Form.

Play detective at murder mystery evening!

If you’ve ever fancied yourself as the next Poirot, Miss Marple or even Columbo then you should bring yourself down to Sussex Crimestoppers’ murder mystery event! The fundraising event will be held at the Hilton Brighton Metropole on 19 November to raise vital funds for the crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers.

But this won't be your usual murder mystery evening, no siree. The charity is using the expertise of its co-patrons Dame Vera Lynn (who’s one of my personal favourites from years ago) and the best selling crime novelist Peter James.

The murder mystery evening’s going to be centred around a "cold case" of Superintendent Roy Grace, the top detective from the novels of Peter James. The murder took place during World War Two so co-patron Dame Vera Lynn will be there to make sure everything is as authentic to the era as possible.

Guests can come in black tie/smart dress or they can really get into the spirit of things by dressing up in 1930/40's style dress, with a prize for the best outfits!

Tickets are £65 per person or £60 per person for a table of 10.

Dinner will include a three course "themed" menu (including a vegetarian option) and one bottle of house red and white wine per table plus coffee and mints. For those who want to dance the night away after all that detective work the ticket also includes entry to the Honey Club on Brighton seafront.

For more information go to the Sussex page of the Crimestoppers website.

Last chance to enter Philip Lawrence Awards!

If you'd like to help young people achieve their goals in a safe society then you can get behind the Philip Lawrence Award Network in 2010 just like Fearless, Crimestoppers’ brand for young people.

Entries close on 15 September so if you haven't already, make sure you get your entry in today.

The Philip Lawrence Awards Network (PLAnet) celebrates the achievements of young people who are taking a lead and making a difference in their communities. From tackling issues like bullying and racism to improving their communities, volunteering, inspiring others and having fun – all those who enter the Philip Lawrence Awards Network demonstrate that young people are a force for good.

Do you know one of this year’s winners?

If you know any groups of young people, aged 11-20, who are making a difference and deserve some recognition, we want to hear from you! Last year, ten fantastic groups were rewarded for a range of inspiring work including an anti-gangs project, a youth music festival and a play challenging homophobia.
Winners will receive an award, £1,000 to invest in their work and an invite to the glittering awards ceremony to be held in London during December.

How to enter

Visit the PLAnet website for more information and to fill in the simple nomination form. At the PLAnet website young people can also set up their own profile, allowing them to link up with hundreds of other young people who are also making a difference to their communities.

You can also get in touch with PLAnet on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Be Fearless against shoplifting!

I’m pleased to tell you that Crimestoppers volunteers and staff have been taking to the streets to inform members of the public about the anonymous service that the charity provides for people to pass on information about crime.

On 2 and 3 September, representatives from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Crimestoppers and Fearless, the charity’s brand for young people, visited Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth to speak to shoppers about the charity and its partnership with Land Securities.

Crimestoppers and commercial property company, Land Securities, have launched a pilot campaign in Portsmouth to raise awareness of the Crimestoppers charity and to address the issues related to shoplifting.

Fearless giveaways

Representatives from Fearless gave away free fearless.org draw string bags to young people and explained to shoppers about the three ways they can contact the charity anonymously with information about crime. A special Fearless poster was also designed especially for the event (see right).

Passing on information about crime

Fearless is Crimestoppers’ youth brand which introduces young people to the anonymous service provided by Crimestoppers. It consists of the website fearless.org where young people can get information about crimes that affect them. Young people can also use the website to pass on information about crime anonymously.

In addition to fearless.org, the Fearless team also provide workshops about the service in schools, youth groups and at special events.

So everyone, young and old, can be active in the fight against crime!

Volunteer’s triathlon goes swimmingly!

A huge pat on the back goes to Crimestoppers volunteer, Jo Osborn, who tackled cold winds and heavy rain in order to complete a triathlon to raise money for Sussex Crimestoppers. Months of vigorous training paid off for the charity’s volunteer, who swam, cycled and ran in the notoriously difficult event.

Jo was put through her paces as she launched into the 750m swim before heading into the 20km cycle ride and finally combating the 5km run as part of the triathlon at Dorney Lake, Berkshire. Though tackling those bad guys keeps me trim, I know even I would struggle to finish this feat of endurance…and I dread to think what it would do to my usually pristine appearance!

Before her success in the triathlon, Jo, from Hove, had kindly been donating her time to Crimestoppers as she decided to help the charity in their ongoing campaign against bogus callers and particularly those who prey on the elderly and vulnerable by conning their way into people's homes before stealing from them.

It’s great to see such a tremendous effort from someone who volunteers their time to fighting crime, well done Jo!

Sponsor Jo today at: Virgin Money Giving

See Thames Valley's Most Wanted

Thames Valley Police is the latest force to embrace Crimestoppers' Most Wanted website. The force has uploaded 60 appeals onto the site and are appealing for information on individuals who are wanted for crimes ranging from drug supply to rape to violence.

By visiting the Thames Valley page on the Crimestoppers website and calling the charity on 0800 555 111 if you have information on any of the wanted individuals, you will be helping to make your streets safer.

Below you can watch a short interview with DCI Ray Howard, Head of Thames Valley Police's Intelligence Bureau, in which he discusses Most Wanted and working with Crimestoppers.



Keep it up crimestoppers!

‘Weed out’ those criminals supplying cannabis in Scotland

I saw in the news yesterday how a staggering £3 million worth of cannabis was seized by police in Scotland. It makes Granny Robyn very pleased to see such a tremendous victory in the fight against crime! Especially as the four men found to be supplying the huge stock of cannabis are now where they belong – behind bars!

But it raises the question; where does the cannabis come from in the first place?

Well, in recent years the Scottish Police Service has uncovered a growing number of cultivations in both rural and urban areas of Scotland where cannabis is being grown on a commercial scale.

Luckily, Scotland Crimestoppers have responded to the problem by launching the national ‘Weed Them Out’ campaign. The campaign highlights the tell-tale signs to look out for to catch those people growing cannabis. It’s very important that we all keep a watchful eye out for cannabis cultivations as they are often found in residential areas.

Some of the signs to look out for are:

• The windows of the property are permanently covered from the inside, often with foil or bin bags. There may be a build up of condensation on the glass.


• Pungent smells may emanate from the premises, or excessive use of air fresheners or moth balls to disguise the aroma.
  
• Noise coming from equipment on the premises, e.g. fans or heaters.


• There may be vents coming out of the roof or rear windows.


• The cannabis or by-products, such as used fertiliser, may be removed in black bin bags, laundry bags or suitcases.


• Tenants do not live on the premises and only make short visits, daily or weekly to maintain them.


• Powerful lights on all day or night.


• Compost bags or gardening equipment may be left outside the rear of the premises.


• Visits to the premises can occur at unusual times of the day or night.

If you would like to give information anonymously about a possible cannabis cultivation or any other crime you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or fill out our untraceable online Giving Information Form.