About the Program

What is Crime Stoppers?

Crime Stoppers is a registered charity providing a trusted independent link between the community and police. We encourage people to anonymously provide information about unsolved crime and suspicious activities.

Is Crime Stoppers part of police?

No. Crime Stoppers is a completely independent, not-for-profit program that works with the community and media to gather intelligence and pass information on to police to help solve, reduce and prevent crime.

Is Crime Stoppers only an Australian crime-solving program?

No. While Crime Stoppers, as one of Australia’s most well-known community programs, operates in all eight States and Territories, it is one of more than 1500 Crime Stoppers programs operating in 25 countries around the world.

When did Crime Stoppers SA start?

Crime Stoppers began in South Australia in 1996 and, for more than 25 years, has been the trusted link between the community and police enabling people to anonymously share information about unsolved crimes and suspicious activities.

What governance arrangements are in place?

Crime Stoppers SA Inc (CSSA) is a registered charity operating under licence from Crime Stoppers Australia. Our activities are managed by a Board of volunteer, non-executive Members and governed by the Constitution of CSSA Inc and by the Associations Incorporation Act 1985.

The Board of Crime Stoppers SA Inc comprises up to nine Members including the Chair – two of whom are officers of SA Police nominated by the Commissioner of Police – and it is the legal authority for the program providing leadership and strategic governance through the provision of advice, oversight of policy and direction, and assistance with promotion in support of our  objectives.

What economic value does Crime Stoppers offer?

‘The economic value of Crime Stoppers in Australia’ (PWC 2015) identified productivity savings for Police services across Australia valued at $69.3 million annually, as a result of the activities undertaken by Crime Stoppers. These savings only reflect the contribution of Crime Stoppers in gathering intelligence information and don’t take into account further cost-savings of policing and enforcement resources associated with anonymous reports that lead to cases being solved.

How is Crime Stoppers SA funded?

As an independent community-based organisation and registered charity, Crime Stoppers South Australia relies on the generous support of businesses, individuals and governments to operate.


Sharing what you know

When should I contact Crime Stoppers?

Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or go to www.crimestopperssa.com.au to anonymously share what you know about unsolved crime and suspicious activity.

In the event of an emergency or if you witness a crime in action – always call 000.

For Police attendance – call 131 444.

How can I share information with Crime Stoppers?

You can have confidence that contacting Crime Stoppers offers a 24/7 secure way to provide information about suspicious activity and unsolved crimes – via our toll-free hotline, website and  Report Suspicious Behaviour apps (suitable for iOS and Android phones). You don’t have to say who you are, just share what you know – and rewards are always available.

What information can I provide?

Information can be about anything; drugs, theft, child abuse, human trafficking, terrorism, escaped criminals, and more – so everyone is encouraged to keep a watchful eye within the community and share what you know about suspicious activity.

Even the smallest piece information might help to prevent or solve a crime. No piece of information is too small and may be the missing piece of a puzzle. Countless criminals are brought to justice every year as a direct result of information shared with Crime Stoppers.

What happens to the information I provide to Crime Stoppers?

When you contact us, trained information-takers check to make sure that what you have shared doesn’t contain any information that might identify you (if you want to remain anonymous) before being sent to police for follow up investigation.

What is the most common information provided to Crime Stoppers?

While every second contact to Crime Stoppers is a drug-related matter, people share what they know about a broad range of unsolved crimes and suspicious activity, including murder, arson, fraud, robbery and much more.

What results are achieved?

An average of 25 crimes are solved each and every week as a direct result of information provided to Crime Stoppers SA.

In South Australia, one apprehension is made for every seven calls received, and on average we receive about 1700 calls and 400 online reports every month.

Can I give Crime Stoppers information about something that happened interstate?

Yes. Crime Stoppers is national network of programs, so you can be confident that any information you provide about something interstate will be taken, assessed and passed to the relevant interstate police service.

Do I have to leave my name or contact details?

No. When you call Crime Stoppers, you are assigned a confidential code number, which becomes your only identity. At no time will anyone ask for your name. A reward can only collected by someone using their confidential code number. What is important is what you know, not who you are.


Culturally and Linguistically Diverse community support

Crime Stoppers South Australia is committed to providing accessible services to people from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds wanting to share what they know about unsolved crime and suspicious activity without saying who they are.

What does it costs to access an interpreter?

The Australian Government has a Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) for people who do not speak English. If you do not speak English you will not pay for TIS services when contacting Crime Stoppers.

How do I access an interpreter?

To use the telephone interpreting service:

  • Phone 131 450 from anywhere in Australia
  • Tell the operator the language you speak
  • Tell the operator the telephone number of Crime Stoppers (1800 333 000)

When can I use the interpreting service?

Telephone interpreting is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What happens if I call Crime Stoppers direct on 1800 333 000 but don’t speak English?

Our call centre operator will set up a code so that you can call TIS National. You will be connected to an interpreter and then to Crime Stoppers SA.

Do I have to provide my name and details when contacting TIS?

No. You don’t have to say who you are or disclose anything about yourself. Just like when calling Crime Stoppers direct, our focus is on what you know, not who you are.

What services does the Translating and Interpreting Service provide?

The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) provides interpreting services to people who do not speak English and to organisations that need to communicate with their non-English speaking clients. These services enable non-English speakers to independently access services and information in Australia.

How many interpreters are available?

The TIS contracts over 3000 interpreters across Australia in more than 160 different languages.


Rewards

Who can claim a reward from Crime Stoppers?

Anyone can apply for a reward by quoting their confidential code number when their information has resulted in a successful outcome.

Reward applications are considered by the Crime Stoppers Board.

What rewards are on offer?

We offer rewards of up to $2000 depending on the severity of the crime committed or prevented, the number of offenders apprehended, types of crimes solved and offences detected.

How do I know if I’m eligible for a reward?

All you have to do is contact Crime Stoppers, with your assigned confidential code number, and you will be advised if you’re eligible to receive a reward.

How many rewards have been paid out?

Since Crime Stoppers first began in South Australia, nearly $250,000 in rewards have been paid to members of the community.

While a reward in exchange for information can serve as an incentive, the vast majority of people who contact Crime Stoppers are motivated purely by the desire to play a role in helping to create a safer community and help police catch criminals.

How are Crime Stoppers rewards funded?

All our rewards are self-funded by Crime Stoppers.

Does Crime Stoppers administer cold case murder rewards?

The very significant rewards on offer – up to $500,000 – for information that leads to the solving of various South Australian cold case murders, are administered by SAPOL and funded through State Government.

Crime Stoppers has no role within that rewards program.

How can I make a donation?

Just as every piece of information can help to solve a crime, every dollar donated to Crime Stoppers also makes a difference – and helps make South Australia safer by funding crime prevention/awareness campaigns and our rewards program.

As a registered charity, all donations of $2 or more made to Crime Stoppers South Australia Inc. (Charity ABN 34 653 049 723) are tax deductible.

To make a donation, please go to the ‘Support Us’ page on our website.

Submit a tip

We provide reporting services that ensure the right information reaches the right people.

Reporting is confidential - we only need your information to solve the crime, not your name.

or call 1800 333 000

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