Almost 100,000 drug hits kept off the streets as Crime Stoppers SA receives 25,000 reports of crime in 2018

Crime Stoppers SA received more than 550 calls about cold case murders and presumed murders in 2018.

Crime Stoppers SA received more than 550 calls about cold case murders and presumed murders in 2018.

Of more than 25,000 pieces of information by phone and online to Crime Stoppers SA, 553 related to open murders and suspicious disappearances.

Crime Stoppers SA chairwoman Sharon Hanlon said the anonymity provided by Crime Stoppers had led to the high number of reports.

“Crime Stoppers SA encouraged the community to come forward with information about a range of serious crimes, including the murder of Martin Meffert, presumed murders of Scott Redman and Tanja Ebert, and the murders of teenager Karen Williams, Anna Rosa Liva, Colin Ernest Williams and Andrew ‘Wilbur’ Williamson in Coober Pedy,” she said.

Martin Meffert whose skeletal remains were found in a Terowie house in October 2013.

Missing man Scott Redman . Picture: Supplied by Family

In September last year, a relative of Mr Meffert was arrested and charged with his murder, bringing an end to a disappearance which had gone unexplained for 13 years.

Other calls and reports to Crime Stoppers last year prevented almost 100,000 drug deals hitting the streets.

As a direct result of more than 10,000 reports 822 people were arrested for crimes ranging from petty theft and vandalism through to serious sexual and drug offences.

Calls from the public resulted in 10 drug labs being shut down as well as the seizure of 2289 cannabis plants and a further 224kg of dried cannabis.

Police also seized 680g of amphetamine and 183 ecstasy tablets. As a result of searches and investigations prompted by the reports, police confiscated 83 firearms and charged more than 40 people with weapons offences.

The six-month long Make The Call campaign resulted in 4200 reports of drug use alone.