Drive to help catch crooks

Jul 16 2007 By Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

CRIMEFIGHTERS have launched a new initiative in inner-city Birmingham to encourage the public to take a greater role in catching crooks.

The Crimestoppers Communities Against Crime scheme aims to get more people to call with information about troublemakers blighting their neighbourhoods.

The group covers a huge swathe of the inner-city from Handsworth to Sparkbrook.

It is targeting members of the city's black and Asian communities previously unaware of the anonymous Crimestoppers hotline to provide vital tip-offs on crime that can then be forwarded to police.

A family fun day was staged on Saturday to raise awareness of the project.

Masood Yasin, of Washwood Heath Youth and Community Network, said: "Sometimes people know who is causing problems in their community but do not wish to talk to the police. They can call Crimestoppers safely and know they are helping to make their area a more pleasant and safe place to be."

School children have helped in the launch of the new initiative by designing a leaflet in five languages explaining how contacting Crimestoppers can help reduce crime. More than 20,000 leaflets will be distributed in places of worship, community and shopping centres across Alum Rock, Handsworth, Lozells, Balsall Heath, Small Heath and Highgate.

Maz Iqbal, chairman of Communities Against Crime, said: "We urge communities to be more proactive in giving information to Crimestoppers about crime and criminals.

"We are proud to be a leading part in this fight against crime and creating a safe environment for you and your children."

Anonymity is guaranteed to anyone calling the Crimestoppers hotline with information about criminals.

Research shows that 63 per cent of the information Crimestoppers receives would not otherwise be known to the police.

The number of calls about criminals in the region increased by 37 per cent to 4,400 last year.

To contact the Crimestoppers anonymous hotline call 0800 555 111.