Happy third birthday for Crimestoppers' Most Wanted » Housing » 24dash.com

414 people have so far been arrested and charged as a result of having their mugshots displayed on Most Wanted, the online crime-fighting tool on the Crimestoppers website.

These arrests include the crimes of murder, rape, robbery, drug smuggling, assault and burglary.

The charity launched this successful tool in detecting crime on 21 November 2006 and is delighted at its success:

Dave Cording, Crimestoppers' Director of Operations, said: “Only this week a wanted child sex offender turned himself in Spain because he could no longer take the pressure of having his details posted on Most Wanted. In three years the system has become increasingly popular with UK law enforcement as they recognise its potential as an essential way of engaging with the public about crime in their communities.”

The site has proved to be very successful with the public and the media, and so far over 196m hits have been recorded. Most Wanted has featured 2,141 appeals with 300 currently being featured on the site.

Operation Captura, a multi-agency project involving Crimestoppers, the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA), the Spanish police and the British Embassy, has proved to be a huge hit with the public. The latest appeals for information on British fugitives on the run in the Spanish Costas were posted for all to see on Most Wanted earlier this month. There was a huge response from the public and as a result three have been arrested in just two weeks.

Most Wanted is the only national online resource of suspected criminals wanted by the police brought together under one roof. The public can view photographs, CCTV stills and descriptions of suspects and then if they recognise someone they can contact the police. Or if they wish to remain anonymous, they can complete an online form, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Notes to editors

• Crimestoppers is an independent charity dedicated to solving crimes and taking criminals off the streets. Around 17 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers. One person every five days is charged with murder.
• Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received 960,000 actionable calls, resulting in nearly 83,000 arrests and charges. Over £100 million worth of property has been recovered and over £144 million worth of drugs.
• Crimestoppers UK was founded by Lord Ashcroft KCMG, Chairman of Trustees. In 1988, he launched Crimestoppers in the Metropolitan Police area. Crimestoppers is built on a three-way partnership between the business community, the police and the media.
• Charity number: 1108687