What can Crimestoppers do in your area, and what can you do for this good cause – and to have an impact on crime and anti-social behaviour, to the benefit of security managers in general? Here?s a report from Essex.
Drug dealers from outside the county have targeted Colchester and district, cultivating local dealers. A recent operation saw several people, some from outside Essex and some local contacts, convicted of supplying drugs. It is estimated that a third of all property crime is related to drugs. In extreme cases a person could be spending œ700 a week on drugs, often financed through crime. So police in Essex report. Hence Colchester Drug & Alcohol Reference Group (DARG) is encouraging the community to really get involved in tackling drug culture by launching a campaign to get the public to understand and use the Crimestoppers scheme. DARG chairman is David Easy, a former police officer now a member of the Association of Security Consultants, featured in our July 2001 edition. He says: ?We are running this campaign to target drug dealers because we recognise that drugs undermine not only the lives of individuals and families but also the well being of communities. This is why it is really important for people to come forward with information. Experience has taught us that although people may hold vital information, they are often afraid to come forward because they are worried about their own safety and feel threatened by family members, neighbours or work colleagues who may be involved in criminal activities. This is where Crimestoppers provides a solution. Callers may even be eligible for a reward which can also be collected anonymously.?
Anonymous info
Sgt Paul Johnson of Essex Police says: ?Crimestoppers is a well known name, but individuals don?t always understand that through the 0800 555 111 free phone number they can give information but don?t have to give their name, and calls won?t be traced. Their information will then be passed on to the local police to action”. Disrupting the supply of drugs is key to reducing the problem; it also impacts on drug related crime. Colchester DARG supports a number of other projects and services that prevent and tackle local drug problems. These range from drug education to treatment and support for people with drug or alcohol problems and their families.
