Identity protection assures informants

A voluntary organisation involved in crime detection has assured the public that the identity of those providing information on perpetrators of crime would remain confidential.

Crimestoppers New Zealand also accepts anonymous calls and analyses them for use by the law enforcement authorities.

Chief Executive Lou Gardiner said the Organisation did not maintain records of calls received.

“Crimestoppers wants no name, no record of the call, no statement, just information about the crime and who is responsible. Our aim is to eliminate crime from our lives. This would be possible if we report criminal acts or evidence of criminal acts,” he said.

In a press statement issued on September 23, he said that during the first 11 months of its establishment, Crimestoopers had received a large number of calls on drug use.

“The call rate on drug crimes has stubbornly stayed at 65% throughout the period. In the UK drug crimes make up 35% of Crimestoppers calls,” he said.

According to Mr Gardiner, the high call rate in New Zealand reflected the concern of the community regarding drugs and the related crimes that followed drug use.

“The consequence of drug use is increased rates of violence and crimes of dishonesty. Since organised crime is involved in the marketing, manufacture and distribution of drugs. Many people who have information about these drug activities are intimidated into not providing that information,” he said.

Malcolm Burgess, Director of the Organised & Financial Crime Agency of New Zealand said anonymity empowered people to take effective action against crime.

“We want to make New Zealand an inhospitable climate for organised criminals,” he said.

Crimestoppers New Zealand was established on October 12, 2009 following the theft (and later safe return) of nine Victoria Crosses, five George Crosses and other medals from the Waiouru Museum in North Island in December 2007.

Crimestoppers UK Trust Chairman Michael Ashcroft and a noted collector announced a cash reward of $200,000 to anyone who helped in the recovery of the stolen items. The medals were recovered soon thereafter.