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.

Could you pass the beer goggle challenge?

Well, the people of Lincoln tried to do just that. The challenge involved trying to carry a tray of drinks whilst wearing ‘beer goggles’ which simulated the feeling of being drunk. Not an easy task I’m sure… but then of course I wouldn’t know. I was asked to take on the challenge but flying with beer goggles on is something I would never attempt!

The challenge was all part of a campaign run by my friends at East Midlands Crimestoppers. The Gauge Your Behaviour campaign ran from 16 July to 6 August 2010 and has been confirmed as a huge success!

In fact, the three-week criminal damage campaign reached hundreds of people in the city and reports so far show that it has led to dozens of calls from people giving anonymous information about crime in the area.

The campaign, which featured the message ‘Your night out, Your city, Your call’ also included advertising on the outside of Lincoln’s taxis and staff in the city’s pubs and bars wore the highly fashionable Gauge Your Behaviour T-shirts.

I'd say that the message that Crimestoppers tackles criminal damage has now been fully 'en-gauged!'

Be rewarded for helping to stop vandalism and robbery in Aston!

Having just returned from a fantastic summer holiday back home in Spain I am now seriously lacking in funds.

Sadly though, crime doesn’t take a holiday so I am eager to get back to tackling those bad guys.

So, when I heard that Crimestoppers have launched a campaign to tackle vandalism and robbery - with the added benefit of cash rewards for actionable information - I thought that all my problems were solved in one go!

The six-week campaign has two messages:

Name that Tag – which encourages members of the public to identify graffiti in the Aston area of Birmingham and stop vandals ruining their streets.

The second part - Cashing in on thieves – uses posters with the message '30 seconds to steal, 1 minute to call Crimestoppers.’ This highlights how quickly a thief can strike but how easy it is to call Crimestoppers anonymously with information.

Both parts of the campaign highlight the reward system in place for those people who give information to the independent charity.

So, help do your bit in the fight against crime and a cash reward could be yours!

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