Crimestoppers is completely open about what happens when you call.
Follow the questions below to find out all you have to do.
Who answers when you call?
What do Crimestoppers want to know?
What type of questions will I be asked?
What happens after I've said all I know?
Nothing happened after I rang Crimestoppers. Why?
Who answers when you call?
Your call to Crimestoppers will be answered by a person not a machine. Crimestoppers call operators are specially trained in talking to our callers. They do not use a script or fill in a standard form with your information. Each call is individual so our call handlers are responsive to your needs and the information you have.
If for any reason Crimestoppers cannot take your call you will not be asked to leave a message. Please ring back another time – between 9am and 8pm or send a e-mail or submit a web based information.
What do Crimestoppers want to know?
Crimestoppers wants your information not your name. You will be asked questions about the information you are giving us – but you will not be asked your name, address, or anything that will allow us to identify you.
Our call operators are not allowed to let the police know anything about you which may reveal your identity, e.g. if the call is about a neighbour of yours we will not disclose your identity.
Crimestoppers want to do the best for solving the problems of people but we need as much information as possible from you in order to pass useful data onto the police or other public service agency. This means that our call operator will ask you questions about what you know. This helps check that your information can be acted upon by the police – the more detail they have the more likely they will be able to take action.
What type of questions will I be asked?
This will obviously depend on the crime and what you know. Many of our calls are about drug dealing – these are some of the questions you may be asked, but it's not an exhaustive list.
- What is the age of the victim?
- What is her name, colour, built, height, weight etc.
- what kind of dress she is wearing?
- Where exactly she was found to be assaulted?
- Were there anyone else who saw the act?
- Who is th suspect?
- Can you identify him?
- What is his name , address, whereabouts?
- What is his age, bodybuilt, height, weight?
- Did he use any weapon to enter the crime scene ?If so, the brand, colours, registration
- what is the number?
- Did he use any intoxicating substance to trap her?
- Is there any other relevant information about the suspect or the victim?
What happens after I've said all I know?
This information is then handed over to the police to deal with. They are the only body in law who can investigate crimes and arrest and charge people, in order to bring them to justice.
The police have to thoroughly go through and research the information you give us in order to act on it to ensure that information is correct and not given to us maliciously to implicate or involove someone with selfish motives.
The police and other public service agencies cannot get at once a search warrant or make an arrest or take other action based solely on anonymous information –they should follow certain precautions, protocols and procedures that support crimestoppers information.The follow-up action bassed upon the authenticity and integrity of information that would enable the respective agencies to dela with the problems with more confidence.
Nothing happened after I rang Crimestoppers. Why?
Remember it may take some time for the police to act on the information you have given. There may be many reasons for this - the information may be crucial to a larger investigation and an action may take place much later on, or the information may remain on file helping to solve crime at a later date. So even if you don't see a quick response, don't think your information hasn't been of use to Crimestoppers.
