Give crime information anonymously in Shirebrook

We want to make the people of Shirebrook in Derbyshire aware of our anonymous crime reporting service, and through this service enable them to improve the quantity and quality of crime information they share.

Whilst we take information on a wide range of crimes, for this campaign we're focusing on drug suppliers and antisocial behaviour.
   

Illegal drugs: one crime - many associations

One of the reasons for focusing on illegal drug supply is that it's often associated with other types of criminal behaviour - for instance, 'cuckooing'. This is when drug gangs take over the home of a vulnerable person through violence and intimidation, using it as their base for selling/manufacturing drugs.

Victims of cuckooing are often drug users, but can also include older people, those suffering from mental or physical health problems, sex workers, single mums and those living in poverty. Victims may suffer from other forms of addiction, such as alcoholism.

Some people may be forced to leave their homes, making themselves homeless and leaving the gangs free to sell drugs in their absence.

What are the signs of cuckooing?

Signs that cuckooing may be going on at a property include:

• An increase in people entering and leaving
• An increase in cars or bikes outside  
• Possible increase in anti-social behaviour  
• Increasing litter outside 
• Signs of drugs use

What other crimes is drug dealing linked with?

Crimes such as:

• Weapons crimes – including firearms offences
• Vehicle damage
• Antisocial behaviour
• Graffiti and criminal damage
• Funding other criminal activities

Which is why anonymously reporting illegal drug dealers can reduce overall criminal behaviour in your area.
 

The key role of information

Information is the life-blood of many criminal investigations. It is often the process of piecing this together which leads to convictions.

Increasing the quantity and quality of information received from the Shirebrook public will lead to more arrests, charges and convictions.

Telephone calls to Crimestoppers are not recorded and phone numbers are not recorded or tracked. The online form is also totally anonymous, with no recording or tracking of internet sources.

So there is no way criminals can find out who has passed on information about them.
   

What is antisocial behaviour?

Antisocial behaviour is a range of behaviours that can cause nuisance and annoyance or harm and distress to a person. It is a wide range of unacceptable activity and includes things like:- 

• Noise – including loud music, banging, DIY at unsocial hours, loud parties, frequent visitors at unsocial hours (NB we at Crimestoppers cannot take information about noise complaints - only your local authority can deal with these. (Find my local authority)
• Shouting, swearing and fighting
• Intimidation through threats or actual violence
• Harassment
• Verbal abuse
• Abusive behaviour aimed at causing distress or fear to certain people, for example, elderly or disabled people
• Driving in an inconsiderate or careless way, for example, drivers congregating in an area for racing/car cruising
• Dumping rubbish
• Animal nuisance, including dog fouling, dogs barking
• Vandalism, property damage and graffiti
• Antisocial drinking
• Arson

Antisocial behaviour can ruin people's lives and devastate their communities.

There is a fine line between antisocial behaviour and neighbour disputes which can often begin over relatively minor inconveniences such as parking. However, if they persist, they can potentially become antisocial behaviour. 

What antisocial behaviour isn't

The following behaviours are not officially classed as antisocial:

• Parking (including badly parked vehicles)
• Children playing
• Neighbours doing DIY (at reasonable times of the day) 
• Groups of people in the street or in parks, unless they are being rowdy, abusive, causing damage or committing other crimes
• Noise caused by everyday living
• Religious or cultural practice
• A one-off party
• General living noise

How to report antisocial behaviour

We at Crimestoppers can only take information about antisocial behaviour if it is serious, criminal or causing a risk to a person.

Otherwise, if you would like to report antisocial behaviour, your local authority (find my local authority), social housing landlords and the police all have powers to deal with your report.

It is important that you keep a record of the incidents and the behaviour, as this will be of great help in investigating the behaviour and tackling it. 

Social housing
If you are a tenant or a leaseholder of a social housing landlord, then contact your landlord to report the issues.

Private sector
If you are in private rented accommodation or a homeowner, you can contact your local authority who have dedicated personnel who deal with antisocial behaviour.

The police
Regardless of tenure, you can also contact the police. 

Remember - unless the antisocial behaviour is serious, criminal or causing a risk to a person, then in the first instance you should contact either your local authority (find my local authority), your social housing landlord or the police.