Crime Stoppers tip-offs help police make 200 arrests and seize $200,000 worth of drugs

Police say vigilant residents often provide the missing piece of the puzzle – with tip-offs helping Moreton police make almost 200 arrests and seize more than $200,000 worth of drugs in 12 months.

Tips to Crime Stoppers led Moreton Police to make almost 200 arrests in the past 12 months.

IN the past 12 months information shared with Crime Stoppers has helped Moreton Police district officers make 198 arrests, hand out 810 charges and take $232,301 worth of drugs off the streets.

The statistics released by Crime Stoppers Qld, as part of their annual report, highlight how valuable a role the community plays in stopping crime.

Across Queensland, people directly contributed to a total of 18,686 charges being laid by police which included arrests for murder, armed hold-ups, drug manufacturing and dealing, serious fraud and more.

At the launch of the Redcliffe Dob in Dealer campaign are Crime Stoppers volunteer manager Selena Mitchell, volunteer Collette Naehu, Inspector Lee Jeffries, chairwoman of Redcliffe Crime Stoppers Kerri-Anne Dooley and volunteer Rachelle Bennett. Photo: Alan Quinney

$1 for 28 days: Full digital subscription

Across the Logan police district tips to Crime Stoppers helped police seize $2.041 million worth of drugs between March 2019 and February 2020. They were also able to make 177 arrests.

Ipswich police issued 438 charges, arrested 128 people and removed $187,575 worth of drugs from the community.

Acting officer-in-charge of Moreton Police Tactical Crime Squad Ron Budrodeen said the information the community provided to Crime Stoppers often provided police with the final piece of the puzzle to solve a crime.

MORE MORETON CRIME NEWS

Sneak break and enter offences rise during COVID-19

Number of offences increases across Moreton Police District

Teen charged after three robberies and eight attempted break ins

Crime Stoppers pass the information received to the District Intel Unit who vett the information and cross check with against current intel and other files.

“They then value add to the new file and forward them to us for further investigation and action if there is sufficient evidence to swear a search warrant.,” Senior Sergeant Budrodeen said.

“Sometimes there is insufficient evidence for a search warrant, but it may be sufficient to justify further surveillance and action at a later date.

Drug related crimes make up the majority of tip-offs to Crime Stoppers in the Moreton region.

“Sometimes we receive information that is sufficient for immediate police action and at other times it is just a small piece of the bigger picture and when we collate all those small piece plus add our own intel it draws a much more clearer picture of what is occurring.”

He said the majority of tips received related to drug and property crime.

“The behaviour traits displayed by persons or groups is very suspicious even for people who may never have been exposed to drugs in their life,” Sen Sgt Budrodeen said.

“Offenders now are stealing expensive motor vehicles and holding onto them for several days or longer. A suspicious activity trait would be regular visitors attending that address but always different vehicles.”

Sen Sgt Budrodeen said any information provided was valuable.

“At times information may not be acted on immediately as the part of the puzzle it goes into is not yet complete, but without that information it would be another gap to fill,” he said.

Redcliffe Crime Stoppers chair Kerri-Anne Dooley said the service allowed people to report suspicious behaviour without having to leave a name or number.

“We have also seen a big uptake in the number of people reporting crime via our App,” Ms Dooley said.

“You don’t have to speak to anybody. The great benefit of the Crime Stoppers line is anonymity. Often it is your neighbours you are dobbing on.”

To report information to Crime Stoppers phone [phone] or visit crimestoppersqld.com.au