Since April 2007...    732 arrests...    917 crimes detected...  261 charges...    £1,980,000 worth of drugs and stolen property seized...    10 firearms recovered.

By Michelle Herd

The promise of a sumptuous meal, superb entertainment and an evening to remember was most definitely delivered on at the first ever Crimestoppers Masked Ball to be held in the North East of Scotland. Sponsorship and donations from Tulloch Homes, The Marcliffe Hotel, Lord Ashcroft, Menzies the Jewellers and many more local businesses helped raise in excess of for the only charity helping to solve crime.

Photo left to right: Archie Crocket (Scotland call centre), Amanda West (PA/Administrator Crimestoppers Scotland), Kenny McDonald (Scotland call centre), Michelle Herd (Project Organiser Grampian/Highlands) and Bill Wingate (Chairman Crimestoppers Scotland)

On Saturday 3 rd November 120 guests and supporters of Crimestoppers Scotland joined together at The Marcliffe Hotel and Spa in Aberdeen , dressed in their finest and wearing a fabulous array of both comical and elegant masks. Masks have been used by the world's diverse cultures for centuries although African cultures have by far the richest mask tradition.

During celebrations, initiations, times of war and peace, African masks are worn by a chosen or initiated dancer to express important religious, social and moral issues to their community. This, along with Crimestoppers guarantee of anonymity inspired the ‘mask' and ‘African' theme for the fund raising Ball.

The grand Ballroom was decorated with Birds of Paradise flowers, authentic African masks and table runners which were specially made students at The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama using tradition African tie-dying and screen printing methods. As guests arrived and mingled over pre-dinner drinks they were entertained by Aberdeen's most recognised African musician ‘Bongo Dave' playing a unique and rhythmic drumming accompaniment to the ‘Sounds of Africa'