‘Eye Spy on Crime” encourages people to be on lookout for something suss

Posted on 29/07/2019

A new campaign has been launched by Crime Stoppers SA to remind people what to be on the lookout for when it comes to suspicious activities.

Crime Stoppers SA Chair, Ms Sharon Hanlon, said: “The success of the Crime Stoppers program is very much a matter of quality over quantity through the reports we receive. The Eye Spy on Crime campaign reminds people of the types of information they might be asked about when making contact.”

“The traditional I Spy game that most of us played when we were younger encouraged us to be more observant and take greater note of things in our surroundings – and we draw on that basic principle in our latest campaign. Holding criminals to account can be achieved by people being on the lookout for something suspicious, making note of key details and then providing that information to Crime Stoppers,” Ms Hanlon said.

“The reality is that criminals live amongst us, often right under our noses. They can be our neighbours, work colleagues, sporting contacts, even members of our own family – and as we go about our busy lives it’s all too easy to turn a blind eye or just simply not see something that should actually be blatantly obvious,” she said.

“There’s plenty of times when neighbours are shocked at the discovery of a drug lab right next door, an arsenal of weapons uncovered somewhere in the street, or the arrest of someone for a serious crime who lived nearby – and, in hindsight, they missed all the warning signs. Those incidents erode community confidence and to see people stay inside their homes and not be alert to what is going on around them is the worst outcome possible.”

Ms Hanlon said whether someone calls the Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 hotline or goes online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au they will be prompted for specific information.

“It might be that a car registration number, identifying accessories or damage to a vehicle is the missing piece of a puzzle that helps to solve a crime. Perhaps it is odd behaviour or a description of someone seen lurking about that ends up solving or preventing a serious robbery, assault or even murder,” Ms Hanlon said.

“When someone contacts Crime Stoppers they don’t have to have concrete evidence of something. Someone might just feel that something isn’t right or believe there are indications that criminal activity is happening – like cars coming and going at odd hours. It’s important they understand they don’t need hard proof but the more details they can provide the better,” she said.

“As an independent charity, we are immensely proud at being South Australia’s most successful and trusted crime-solving and prevention program. We provide a secure, anonymous way for the community to share information about crime and criminal activity – so when someone contacts Crime Stoppers they are not asked who they are, but they are encouraged to share all they know.”

Before contacting Crime Stoppers, people should consider and jot down, if necessary:

• What happened, when & where
• Male or female
• Hair colour, length and type
• Estimated height and age
• Athletic, skinny, or obese build
• Skin complexion – type or colour – and eye colour
• Facial hair – beard, moustache, goatee
• Tattoos, piercings
• Accent, sound of voice or language
• Clothing – headwear, footwear, glasses, clothing description, bag, hat, etc.
• Vehicle registration, make & colour
• Distinctive features, roof racks, unusual stickers, vehicle damage
• Photo, video or dashcam footage of incident

The program has helped to solve more than 32,500 crimes and more than 21,000+ people have been apprehended since it first began in SA. An average of 25 crimes are solved every week as a direct result of information provided, with one apprehension made for every seven contacts received.

2018 program results included more than 25,000 phone and web reports received during the year, resulting in 822 apprehensions. A total of 82 firearms were seized during the year, with information provided by the community also stopping 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 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.

Crime Stoppers offers a 24/7 hotline – 1800 333 000 – and a web portal located at www.crimestopperssa.com.au which allow people to anonymously share what they know, with the option of a reward.

The Eye Spy campaign is funded under a grant from the Australian Government.

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