A festive focus on peace and safety

Merry Christmas!

We all hope that in our daily life, we can enjoy the benefit of having safety and security, both for ourselves and for the people we love and care about.

That’s why I and my team are proud to work for Crimestoppers – giving those who often feel marginalised, forgotten or fearful, a chance to make a positive change in their community.

Having a direct impact and being a cause for good is at the heart of the Christmas message. It’s about valuing the shared experience and cherishing those all-too-brief but memorable occasions.
 

Shared successes

Our charity believes that everyone has the right to feel safe, wherever they live or work.

At Crimestoppers, we strive to find ways to cooperate with all sorts of organisations and communities. The hard work of staff and volunteers has helped to improve results of investigations into high-profile cases and given hope to the devastated – such as `victims’ families and loved ones.

This year we have taken over half a million contacts from the public – which is 50% up over the last four years; a magnificent achievement that we should all celebrate.

This means that thousands of people have been arrested and charged as a result of people `doing the right thing’ and passing on their crime information to our UK Contact Centre. Your actions, to trust Crimestoppers’ unique service, help put violent offenders such as murderers behind bars, protect vulnerable children and older people, and prevent knives and guns from causing harm.

Striving for young people

And, reflecting on that topical concern, information about knife and gun crime has nearly quadrupled over the last four years. This staggering rise illustrates the extent of the problem and also how important it is that Crimestoppers exists to pick up on trends and to give a voice to those who otherwise would have nowhere else to turn.

Clearly, there is so much more that needs to be done, but I am particularly proud that our youth service, Fearless, which has seen significant growth across the country. This contributes to supporting and engaging with younger people, showing them how they have options when it comes to keeping safe and reporting crime.

Onwards to 2020

It’s heart-warming to know that our charity is able to reach more people, including young people, than ever before. And, in terms of our campaigns, appealing to the public to pass on what they know about issues as important as County Lines and the exploitation of the vulnerable, is vital.

This builds on firm foundations, keeping our beneficiaries, the public, at the heart of what we do.

So, as we pause for a time to take stock, reflect and consider, may I wish you a wonderful Christmas and New Year and ask you to continue supporting Crimestoppers in 2020.