The police teamed up with Delmore Cars in Inverness back in April and the garage donated a Skoda car for use by Crimestoppers and Police, which was to be used to promote the crime fighting charity across the Highlands.
The first quarter of the fiscal year 2005/06 produced no arrests as a result of calls to the charity, but since the publicity vehicle was arrived in April and driven across the Highlands the number of arrests has risen to 10 as a result of calls to Crimestoppers. This figure represents the same period for 2006/07.
Also as a result of anonymous calls, £9,725 worth of illegal drugs have been recovered.
The marked, high visibility vehicle has visited most Area Commands within the Highlands since April for various operational reasons.
Inspector Colin Gough, Crimestoppers liaison officer for Northern Constabulary said: “The high profile use of the vehicle certainly seems to be making a difference and we would encourage more people to phone Crimestoppers with any information relating to criminal activity.”
He added: “We would also like to thank members of the public for the calls they continue to make to Crimestoppers, all of which are actioned and make a real difference to communities in which they live and work.”
Inspector Gough also revealed that although the number of calls are down slightly on last year the quality of actionable information has increased vastly, which is borne out by the figures above.
The Force this week handed over a plaque of thanks to Delmore Cars for their support in the fight against crime.
The total number of actionable calls for the first quarter of 2005/06 was 160 in the Northern Constabulary force area and for the same period in 2006/07 the number is 142.
Skoda stockists Delmore Cars recently confirmed it will be extending the loan period of the Crimestoppers vehicles to March next year.
Managing Director of Delmore Cars Limited, Robert Osborn, said: “I take pleasure in confirming that the use of this vehicle has been extended to March next year.
“Hopefully the Force and Crimestoppers Scotland will continue to find it useful and it will aid in their fight against crime in general and drugs in particular.”
Anyone with any information regarding specific crimes should contact their nearest Police station or call Crimestoppers 24-7 anonymously on 0800 555 111.
To read more about the sponsored Skoda when handed over to Crimestoppers Scotland, please click here.
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