Media Releases

As one of South Australia’s most successful and trusted not-for-profit charities, Crime Stoppers SA has launched a Go Fund Me page and called for community support to help fight country crime.

Crime Stoppers South Australia chair, Ms Sharon Hanlon, said this was the first time the crime-solving organisation had turned to a crowd funding solution to help fund one of its state-wide campaigns.

“We rely on and actively seek support from state government and the business community but tightening of our funding position has forced us to consider all avenues to raise funds – and we hope that South Australians recognise the value that comes with the Crime Stoppers program and are generous in their support,” Ms Hanlon said.

“We believe that a regional and rural campaign is of critical importance to every South Australian, whether they live or work in a country area or not. We know that regional and farming communities are already doing it tough and becoming a victim of crime or having crime occur in these tight-knit communities has a major impact on public confidence,” she said.

The Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) says crime in rural areas is increasing, with farm crime rates at their highest in either highly accessible or very remote areas. 

“Livestock theft across SA left farmers $1.2 million out of pocket in 2016/17. In addition, farms have experienced theft of farm machinery, equipment, vehicles, material, tools and spare parts – all of which are needed to stay operational. Adding to the concern, theft of produce, seed and grain– as well as deliberately lit bushfires – can bring farming communities to their knees,” Ms Hanlon said.

“Research shows that farmhouse burglary impacts 17% of all farms. Disturbingly, more than half of farm crime victims are normally affected more than once – reinforcing the urgent need for a targeted crime prevention, detection and reporting strategy to catch those responsible,” she said.

“Notably, patterns of offending suggest a high level of planning and organisation by a small group of repeat offenders who are probably responsible for a significant amount of the higher value losses in terms of livestock and farm equipment.”

According to the Australian Institute of Criminology, crime in rural areas is increasing, with rural and regional crime research indicating that crime rates are greatest in:

• highly accessible areas (close to regional or urban centres) where properties tend to experience theft of farm machinery, vehicles or tools, or burglary; or
• very remote areas, where properties experience the highest levels of livestock theft, illegal hunting and fishing, theft of materials, and illegal dumping of waste.

In line with broader community trends, rural Australia is also impacted by drugs. The 2016 National Drug Strategy Household Survey found that rates of methamphetamine use were twice as high in remote or very remote areas compared to major cities.

“Thieves are becoming more organised, going to the effort and trouble of concealing their crime by dismantling and rehanging gates, having dogs debarked, and operating by moonlight in order to avoid the potential for being seen. There have even been reports of thieves stealing sheep for the value of their wool, and then returning a flock after shearing,” Ms Hanlon said.

 “People wrongly assume that Crime Stoppers  is part of the South Australia Police or already funded by State Government. That is not the case, which is why as an independent not-for-profit charity we need to do all we can to raise funds to cover operational costs and deliver award-winning crime solving and awareness campaigns. We also continue to self-fund our rewards program, with nearly $250,000 paid to members of the community for the information they have provided.”

The Go Fund Me target is $150,000, with 100% of all money received by Crime Stoppers to be directly spent on development and delivery of the campaign across country SA locations.

To make a donation, go to https://www.gofundme.com/crime-stoppers-sa

If anyone has information about criminals or criminal activity, they can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

People can remain anonymous and rewards are available.

Program fast facts:

• Since the program began in SA, more than 32,500 crimes have been solved, and more than 21,000 people apprehended.
• While every second contact to Crime Stoppers is a drug-related matter, people provide information about a broad range of crimes and suspected criminal activity, including murder, arson, fraud, robbery and much more.
• An average of 25 crimes are solved every week as a direct result of information provided to Crime Stoppers.
• In South Australia, one apprehension is made for every seven calls received, and on average about 1780 calls and nearly 400 online reports are received every month.
• 2018 program results: more than 25,000 phone and web reports were received during the year, resulting in 822 apprehensions. In addition to 82 firearms seized during the year, information provided by the community stopped an estimated 80,035 cannabis and 12,227 amphetamine street deals in South Australia.
• An independent report commissioned by Crime Stoppers Australia in 2018 found that the program remains Australia’s most recognised and pre-eminent information reporting service, delivering a return of $11.15 in additional value for every dollar invested. The report also found that 82% of people feel safer knowing the program is in place, and 62% said Crime Stoppers made it more likely they would report information.

February saw nearly 180 calls made to Crime Stoppers SA about drug growing, making and selling activity – reinforcing that the destructive impact of drugs remains a real concern for people in the community.

In addition, 43 calls were about firearms, providing investigators with good leads to follow and resulting in three firearms being located along with an array of other illegal weapons.

People helped to identify a man and woman wanted in relation to a theft in Nuriootpa, and provided valuable information about serious criminal trespass incidents at Surrey Downs, Bellevue Heights, two Wells and Lewiston, a Para Hills chemist robbery, assaults in the city  and a robbery at the Gepps Cross Drive In.

Information from the community led to 50 apprehensions during February, including 23 men and 6 women charged with a range of serious offences.

Our weekly crime segments on 9News Adelaide during the month asked for help to solve an aggravated indecent assault at Paralowie, a robbery of a female jogger at Freemont Park at Elizabeth, and a break in at a Fitzroy property where credit cards were stolen and later used. We also partnered with SA Police to encourage people to be safe during ‘Mad March’ celebrations.

Watch these and other weekly crime segments at https://www.youtube.com/user/SIBSACrimeStoppers

Other February 2019 results included:

• More than 2000 calls and nearly 400 online reports received;
• 1027 intelligence reports raised,
• 906 actions issued for investigation;
• 239g of Amphetamine and 200ml of Fantasy GHB seized;
• 163 cannabis plants and 4.2kg of dried cannabis located;
• 7,614 people visited the Crime Stoppers SA website, resulting in 22,44 page views;

If you have any information about criminal activity and unsolved crimes, then don’t forget that you can call our free hotline on 1800 333 000, go to crimestopperssa.com.au or download the free Report Suspicious Behaviour app for iOS and Android phones. 

Don’t forget that rewards are available and you can remain anonymous – it’s your choice.

In 2016, an estimated 40 million people were victims of slavery across the world.

Thursday 14th March is #MyFreedomDay – and gives us all an opportunity to stop and think about what makes you feel free, raise awareness of modern slavery and celebrate freedom.

Please report suspicious activity that could be linked to human trafficking to Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or making a report online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

The year started off with calls and online reports about a number of high-profile incidents, including the death of a woman in the South Parklands, the murder of a man late last year at Para Vista drug house, the bashing murder of Elizabeth South man Mark Boyce and the disappearance and presumed murder of Rhianna Barreau (pictured below) in 1992.

In total, Crime Stoppers SA received more than 2000 calls from people and 381 reports submitted using the website or Report Suspicious Behaviour app during the month.

People provided valuable information about an indecent assault at the University of Adelaide, an aggravated robbery in North Adelaide, arson attacks on the Nangwarry Football Club and the Smithfield Plains High School, and fatal crashes at Salisbury and on the Coorong.

Information from the community led to 42 apprehensions during January, including 13 men and 2 women charged with a range of serious drug and other offences.

We continued our support of the national Dob in a Dealer campaign, asking people living along the Limestone Coast to provide information about anyone making or dealing drugs.

Our first weekly crime segment on 9News Adelaide for the year reminded people to look out for bushfire arsonists during the Fire Danger Season.

Watch these and other weekly crime segments at https://www.youtube.com/user/SIBSACrimeStoppers

Other January 2019 results included:

• 1150 intelligence reports raised,
• 1035 actions issued for investigation;
• 170g of Amphetamine and 6.5gm of ecstasy seized;
• 61 cannabis plants and 109gm of dried cannabis located;
• More than 7,600 people visited the Crime Stoppers SA website, resulting in 27,000 page views;

If you have any information about criminal activity and unsolved crimes, then don’t forget that you can call our free hotline on 1800 333 000, go to crimestopperssa.com.au or download the free Report Suspicious Behaviour app for iOS and Android phones. 

Don’t forget that rewards are available and you can remain anonymous – it’s your choice.

Valentine’s Day might be that perfect opportunity for star-crossed lovers around the world to share their heartfelt attraction to a potential partner, but it is also an opportunity for heartless scammers to prey on the lonely and vulnerable within the community.

To help protect those looking for love, Crime Stoppers South Australia encourages people to be on the lookout for signs that they are being scammed, and how to stay safe when meeting someone new for the first time.

Crime Stoppers South Australia chair, Ms Sharon Hanlon, said that while dating should be a fun and safe experience, important rules apply whether meeting someone online or in person for the first time.

“It is important for people to trust their instincts and remember that if something sounds too good to be true it probably is, and never, ever get financially involved with someone you hardly know,” Ms Hanlon said.

“Online dating sites are an increasingly popular option for many looking for love, but it is important to safeguard your privacy and anonymity. Don’t rush into meeting someone offline, and only exchange personal details when you are comfortable to do so,” Ms Hanlon said.

“If you do get to that point where you want to share contact details, consider using a free email service provider such as Gmail, Yahoo! or Hotmail in preference to a work email address. The more information you provide, the easier it is for someone to find out more about you via any social media account, online searching, or even contacting your employer under false pretences,” she said.

“It is hard to gauge how many people have actually fallen victims to a love scam because often victims are too embarrassed to come forward. Avoid putting yourself in that position by never sending money or offering financial assistance to someone you’re just getting to know – even if they claim it’s an emergency or promise to pay you back.”

“Dating scammers often try and trick their victims into falling in love and then deceitfully take their money. If someone you’ve met online but never met in person asks you to loan or gift them money then alarm bells should be ringing.”

It is estimated that lonely people are part of the many South Australians that are being duped for more than $10,000 every day by unscrupulous thieves. In fact the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission found that scammers fleeced South Australians out of $3.67 million in 2017 using a variety of deceptions – including classic romance scams.

Around 30 per cent of dating and romance scams reported were conducted via social media sites, most commonly on Facebook.

Some other safe dating tips include:

• Meet when you are ready – you are not obliged to meet anyone so don’t feel pressured. Regardless of how much communication you’ve had online, take all the time you need to become comfortable with someone before sharing any contact details.
• Talk on the phone – before jumping into a face-to-face meeting, think about having a chat on the phone before you meet – and consider using your mobile instead of sharing your home or work number.
• Pick a safe place – the ideal spot will be in a well-lit public location, with plenty of people around, is easy to get to and where you will feel comfortable. If possible, have your own transport to begin with rather than accepting any offer to be picked up.
• Tell a friend – on the first date, let a trusted friend know where you will be and give them your date’s contact number and name. Think about asking that person to call at a pre-determined time for a safety check-in. If the date is a dud, it makes for a good excuse to cut the date short. Make sure you’ve charged your mobile before heading out.
• Watch your drink – never leave your drink unattended. It is very quick and easy to spike a drink so don’t give anyone that opportunity.

“Always be aware of your surroundings, stay vigilant, and if you feel in danger when out with someone new then move and consider calling for help,” Ms Hanlon said.

If you have any information about criminals or criminal activity then call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

People can remain anonymous and rewards are available.