Crimestoppers phoneline arrests increase

The number of arrests made as a result of calls to a confidential crime phoneline has increased by about 90%.

Dumfries and Galloway Crimestoppers has released figures which cover the period between April 2009 and March this year.

They show that the number of arrests made was 42 over that time period compared with 22 for the previous 12 months.

A Crimestoppers spokeswoman said media coverage and increasing public awareness had helped figures to rise.

The group recently set up a new local volunteer board to cover the area.

It has also assisted Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary in promoting awareness of cannabis cultivations with two seminars in the region.

Kate Jackson, of Crimestoppers, said: "A huge thank you must go to the people of Dumfries and Galloway for passing on vital information about crime.

"We are extremely proud that the charity continues to play such a vital role in helping to make the local community a safer place to live."

In the UK, the charity has had an 11% increase in actionable information and an 8% increase in the number of people arrested and charged as a result of information passed to Crimestoppers.