Communities need to be empowered to help the police prevent, detect and solve crime, Minister for Community Safety Fergus Ewing said today as he announced a funding boost of more than £200,000 for the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers.

Crimestoppers Scotland, which is the only UK charity focused solely on helping police solve crime, will receive £220,000 from the Scottish Government over three years in a bid to raise its presence across Scottish communities and enable more people to come forward anonymously with information about crimes and criminals. 

Ewing said: "We want to empower our communities to help law enforcement prevent, detect and solve crime and Crimestoppers plays a key role in doing just that. It enables the public to come forward with information about crime and criminals anonymously, particularly if they feel personal pressure or fear retribution. 

"As an independent, volunteer-based organisation, Crimestoppers represents communities, and encourages citizens to take responsibility for preventing and helping to solve crime, making Scotland safer and stronger." 

Ewing also announced that a national manager for Scotland will be appointed to lead the fundraising and awareness raising effort, supported by three local project managers. 

Adam Findlay, chairman of Crimestoppers Scotland welcomed the announcement, calling it a “massive boost” for the charity. 

He continued: "For several years we have had an excellent team of staff and volunteers in Scotland who have worked tirelessly to promote Crimestoppers. 

"Having a full-time national manager will really help in consolidating this effort and take our operation to another level." 

Carole McLean, head of SPSA criminal justice, said that Crimestoppers is a “unique partnership” in the criminal justice system. 

She said: "As providers of call centre support to Crimestoppers, we've been delighted this year to provide the charity team with dedicated accomodation - saving them many thousands of pounds - and we will be delighted to extend that arrangement to provide a base for the new national manager for Scotland and help reduce overheads further. 

"Crimestoppers is a unique partnership in the criminal justice system - with the independent charity, SPSA and the eight forces all playing their parts.

"The new appointment will, I hope, bring new energy and direction to Crimestoppers' awareness and fund-raising work and contribute towards what all the partners are striving for - information that reduces both crime and the number of criminals in our communities." 

Assistant Chief Constable Derek Penman, portfolio lead for Crimestoppers for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland Crime Business Area, added: 

"ACPOS and Scottish police forces welcome the additional support being given to Crimestoppers by the Scottish government. 

"Information about those involved in criminal activity is essential for police forces to fight crime and build safer communities across Scotland. Crimestoppers is an effective and well-established way for anyone who wants to give this information anonymously. 

"This additional funding will strengthen the links between the Crimestoppers charity and Scottish forces and increase our capacity to target criminals both nationally and locally." 

For more information about Crimestoppers visit their website: www.crimestoppers-uk.org