Crimestoppers, Facewatch and ACPO form strategic partnership

Wed, Oct 24, 2012 09:12 CET

Crimestoppers, Facewatch and the Association of Chief Police officers announced today that they have agreed to work in partnership with a focus on sharing technology and improving the tools available for crime reduction initiatives.

Michael Laurie, Crimestoppers’ Chief Executive commented:

“This is an exciting opportunity to further develop Crimestoppers’ range of services for the public in providing them with an anonymous route to pass on information about crime as well as an opportunity to embrace the business community. Facewatch not only gives us access to the very latest database and mobile technology but will also enable us to further empower individuals and communities in the fight against crime. The partnership of Facewatch and Crimestoppers with ACPO’s inclusion creates a world leading example of public and private sector co-operation.”

Sir Hugh Orde, President of the Association of Chief Police Officers said:

“Crimestoppers is well loved by the public and also provides a great service for law enforcement across the UK. As a charitable organisation it relies on support from donations and help from a wide range of volunteers. The opportunity to gain access to the latest technology through partnering with Facewatch is a great move and one which I applaud and support wholeheartedly. The UK police forces through ACPO will engage fully with both organisations in the fight against crime.”

Simon Gordon, Executive Chairman, Facewatch Ltd added:

“The fundamental aim of Facewatch is to reduce low level crime using the very latest internet technology which empowers businesses, the public and the police to work together. I am delighted to be working in partnership with Crimestoppers and ACPO to create a lasting and trusted solution. This new partnership gives us added confidence in our core strategy of building an open system accessible to all those in the private and public sector, enabling them to work together collaboratively to create safer communities.”

Partnership member details:

Crimestoppers is an independent crime-fighting charity that operates the 0800 555 111 phone number which can be used to pass on information about crime anonymously. The public can also give information anonymously via the organisation’s website www.crimestoppers-uk.org. Around 22 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers. Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received over a million actionable calls, resulting in over 117,000 arrests and charges. Over £124 million worth of goods has been recovered and over £271 million worth of drugs has been seized. In 2005, Crimestoppers launched the UK’s Most Wanted on its website which allows the public to view images of criminals and pass on vital information about their whereabouts. It has been highly successful with over 1,700 arrests to date.

The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) is an independent, professionally led strategic body. ACPO leads and coordinates the direction and development of the police service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In times of national need ACPO, on behalf of all chief officers, co-ordinates the strategic policing response. The Association brings together the expertise and experience of chief police officers from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, providing a professional forum to share ideas and best practice, co-ordinate resources and help deliver effective policing which keeps the public safe.

Facewatch was founded in March 2010 and is the only police approved system for businesses wishing to simply and quickly report low level crime to the police online. Facewatch crime reporting is a free service to businesses and police and provides an open platform solution and a standard interface between police and the business sector. Currently operating in six of the major UK police forces, the Facewatch system is being adopted across more forces rapidly as its success in reducing costs and assisting in solving crimes is recognised.

Facewatch has also recently launched a highly successful free mobile App, Facewatch ID, for the identification of police issued images by the public using postcode proximity. Images are supplied and uploaded directly by the Police and this is currently available in London and Surrey. The new partnership will start by sharing this technology to enable the public to have the option to pass on crime information anonymously through Crimestoppers.

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Heather Broughton - Communications and Digital Manager

Crimestoppers Trust

T: 020 8835 3726

M: 07795 564313

E: heather.broughton@crimestoppers-uk.org

www.crimestoppers-uk.org Switchboard: 020 8835 3700

Stuart Greenfield – PR Consultant, Facewatch

Email: stuart@greenfield.co.uk

T: 07788 662697

www.facewatch.co.uk Office: 0207 930 3225

Sian Freestone - Walker ACPO Communications