February 16, 2016
Crime Stoppers Queensland has recorded its highest number of arrests in a calendar year for the third year in a row, thanks to reports made by the public.
In 2015, 63,934 people contacted Crime Stoppers Queensland to provide information that led to 2,622 arrests and 9,452 charges being laid.
The figures were released by Crime Stoppers Queensland on Wednesday as part of the organisation’s Annual Results Celebration Day.
Crime Stoppers Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mr Trevor O’Hara said the number of arrests was up 7.5 per cent, and the number of people who contacted Crime Stoppers Queensland was up 17 per cent, from 2014.
“These are the best statistics we’ve seen since the program commenced in 1989, and it’s the third consecutive year our program has broken records for the number of arrests resulting from community information reports,” he said.
Over 10,000 of these contacts were through electronic mediums, which marked a 32 per cent rise in online reporting during the year.
Illegal drug related activity was the most reported crime in 2015, resulting in 36 drug trafficking and 9,105 drug supply and possession of dangerous drug charges.
Arrests and charges for two rape offences, five child pornography offences, 12 prostitution offences, 31 breach of bail offences and 261 weapons act offences were also made.
Mr O’Hara said overwhelming support from volunteers and the wider community had seen Crime Stoppers Queensland continue to set the benchmark for Crime Stoppers programs globally.
“Crime Stoppers empowers people so that they can make a difference in the community and give information anonymously, and Queenslanders have really embraced that”, he said.
“Our Annual Results Celebration Day is a good time for Queenslanders to remember they can really make a difference in other people’s lives and in making our state a safer place to live.”
Mr O’Hara said Crime Stoppers Queensland volunteers and the wider community should be proud of their efforts.
“Crime Stoppers Day is an opportunity to remind all Queenslanders of the role they can play in continuing to protect our lifestyle,” he said.
“We would like thank our network of more than 600 volunteers who have worked tirelessly to educate the community about Crime Stoppers Queensland.
“Our organisation is also fortunate to receive strong support from all officers within the Queensland Police Service.”
