Crimestoppers and West Lindsey District Council have launched a new campaign in Gainsborough appealing for communities to unite in taking a stand against crime by speaking up anonymously.
Information given to Crimestoppers about crime across Lincolnshire has increased by 12% over the last year. This shows more people are putting trust in our charity.
The charity, which is independent of the police, is working with West Lindsey District Council to make local people aware of our promise of 100% anonymity when taking and passing on crime information.
Over the coming weeks, the focus will be on specific areas of the town. Additional lamp post signs are being placed in prominent areas and there will also be an extensive social media campaign targeting various age groups.
Crimestoppers can be contacted in over 140 different languages via our website, and for those that call us, if required, a translator can be on the other end of the line within a couple of minutes. This service is a key factor for the residents of Gainsborough, as the most common languages spoken in the area after English are Eastern European.
Lydia Patsalides, Crimestoppers East Midlands Regional Manager, said: “I feel it’s important that the people of Gainsborough know they have a voice to be able to speak up completely anonymously about their concerns on crime in their community.
“Some people know about crime but feel they don’t have anywhere or anyone to turn to. Please remember that the charity Crimestoppers is here to help. We do not judge or take any personal details from those that contact us. All we want is the information you have. You will remain 100% anonymous. Always.
“Since the charity began in the 1980s, we have always kept our promise of anonymity to everyone who contacts us.”
West Lindsey District Councillor Jeanette McGhee, a ward member on the South West ward of Gainsborough, said: “As councillors, we often hear people say that crime is taking place, but they have not reported it because they are worried they will be identified and targeted.
“To make a real difference to the places where we live and work, we need to take action now and that is why I am pleased to see the launch of the Gainsborough Crimestoppers campaign.
“It is important that we make reporting crime as simple and easy for everyone to do and making that completely anonymous is crucial if we want to get a real understanding of the issues in the area. It will also help us to liaise with partners and help us find solutions to some of the problems that specific areas are facing.
“Our campaign will also target young people aged 13-17, encouraging them to report crime in the town over the coming months.”
