Scotland - anonymous information plays vital role in catching murderers, fugitives & drug dealers

More than 16,000 contacts were received from the Scottish public by Crimestoppers and our youth service, Fearless, between April 2021 and March 2022.

As a result of anonymous information from communities across Scotland, over 350 people were arrested and charged, including five with murder, and we passed on information to the police which helped recover a ‘street value’ of drugs worth over half a million pounds.

More than 58,000 young people from all across Scotland visited the Fearless website and reported crime, 100% anonymously - more than ever before.

16,328 pieces of anonymous information were sent to Police Scotland & other law enforcement agencies. This figure is only very slightly below last year's record high number, which saw the most disseminations (16,515) from us to Police Scotland in 34 years of Crimestoppers' existence.

The detail:

• 5 people were arrested and charged with murder/unlawful killings.
• 3 people on the wanted list were caught and charged.
• 48 disqualified and uninsured drivers were arrested and charged.
• 54 drink/drug drivers were arrested and charged.
• 3 people were charged with hate crime.
• 2 people were arrested for firearms offences, with 1 firearm and 3 hauls of ammunition recovered.
• Street value of drugs recovered: £541,901.
• Value of property and cash recovered: £192,856.

Over the year, 12,709 pieces of information were recorded as 'actionable intelligence’ by law enforcement. This means that 78% of all Crimestoppers anonymous information sent to Police Scotland was high-quality.

In 2022, four new £20,000 rewards were offered to support investigations that needed our support. We also issued another combined reward of £20,000.

Thanks to police action after receiving Crimestoppers reports, nearly a thousand positive outcomes followed. This was a 20% increase on the previous year, and included 163 vulnerable and safeguarding issues.
 

"We are continually grateful to people across Scotland who come forward and trust us with their information. From drug dealing to child harm and neglect, we heard from thousands of people concerned about crime in their communities.

"We are so encouraged and grateful to those who contacted our charity - thanks to you, life is better for many, and communities across Scotland are safer.”

“The Scottish Government is committed to tackling crime in Scotland by working across the country with partners such as Crimestoppers, to help communities remain safe and resilient, where people can live their lives safe from crime and harm.

“By picking up the phone and contacting Crimestoppers you can help to prevent, detect and solve crime.

"The number of reports to Crimestoppers has reached a record high in the past 12 months. This has been of particular importance and value during these challenging times, and I would like to thank them sincerely for the part they play in helping keep people in Scotland safe.”