Media Release

25 January 2012

Batman battles burglars

The Bill’s Graham Cole stamps out crime

Batman joined actor Graham Cole, better known as PC Tony Stamp from The Bill, in Luton  to help in a crack down on burglars across the county of Bedfordshire.

The caped crusader is part of a campaign by the independent charity Crimestoppers to encourage Bedfordshire residents to tell them what they know about burglary and who’s handling stolen goods in their communities. And, like Batman, callers won’t be identified – the message being publicised by the masked hero is ‘It’s what you know, not who you are’.

Calls to the Crimestoppers’ 0800 555 111 number or information given through the website www.crimestoppers-uk.org are 100% anonymous.

The event launched Crimestoppers’ new burglary campaign which will see 120,000 postcards being sent out to homes in the county appealing for information on burglary and handling stolen goods. It also includes billboards, radio adverts and a short film on the human impact of burglary.

Tony Lloyd, Chairman of Bedfordshire Crimestoppers, explained why the campaign was important: “Being burgled is not just about losing possessions, it also robs you of feeling safe in your own home. People should be able to feel secure and confident in their homes.

“No one has anything to fear by contacting Crimestoppers. No personal information is taken and calls are not traced or recorded. Those who give information do not have to give a statement to police or go to court. In the 24 years that we have been running, Crimestoppers has never broken its promise of anonymity”.

Graham Cole added: “After 27 years of playing a police officer I am proud to put my name to the “Stamp out Crime” campaign with Crimestoppers and their new Property Protector. Its powerful technology will deter crime and provide reassurance that you are buying an official Police security solution. Help defeat the burglars.”

Crimestoppers plays a major part in the fight against burglary and handling stolen goods. Last year Crimestoppers received 5442 pieces of actionable information about burglaries and theft, leading to 608 arrests and charges across the UK. More information about this burglary campaign by the charity, funded and supported by Bedfordshire Police, can be found at www.bedscrimestoppers.org

Up to £1,000 can be claimed for any information which leads to the arrest and charge of those responsible for burglaries or handling stolen goods.

-ENDS-

For further information contact Ann Scott, Eastern Regional Manager, on 07825 445720 or 01255 475954 or ann.scott@crimestoppers-uk.org

Notes to editors:

For more information about Crimestoppers Property Protector: www.crimestopperspropertyprotector.com/bedfordshirecrimestoppers  

Crimestoppers is an independent charity which helps the police to solve crimes, making communities safer. It does this by operating the 24/7 telephone number 0800 555 111 which people can ring to pass on information about crimes anonymously. They can also use our ‘giving information’ form via our website www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Around 21 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers. One person every nine days is charged with murder.

Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has received over a million actionable calls, resulting in over 100,000 arrests and charges. Over £114 million worth of property has been recovered and over £202 million worth of drugs.

In 2005, Crimestoppers launched the UK’s Most Wanted on its website which allows the public to view images of criminals and pass on vital information about their whereabouts. It has been highly successful with over 1000 arrests to date from 4,900 thousand appeals posted.

Crimestoppers UK was founded by Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Chairman of Trustees. In 1988, he launched Crimestoppers in the Metropolitan Police area. Crimestoppers ‘call to action’ is built on a three-way partnership between the business community, the police and the media.