Thursday, 08 November 2007
South Africa’s anonymous sms anti-crime service, Crime Line, run by media house Primedia, is recording the highest number of tip-offs in the world. At the same time, several countries are intending to follow South Africa’s example and will shortly be introducing text messaging.
This emerged at the 28th annual Crime Stoppers International Conference underway in Bermuda. This year’s theme is “Global Problems: Community Solutions” Almost 400 delegates are attending the five-day conference.
Primedia launched the 32211 SMS line and crimeline.co.za website in June this year. The programme is fully endorsed by the South African Police Service. Thousands of tips have been received to date and more than 260 arrests have been made. Over R16-million of stolen property, drugs and counterfeit goods have been seized. Scores of other investigations are still continuing.
The South African delegation at the Crime Stoppers International Conference are Primedia’s Crime Line manager, Yusuf Abramjee, Assistant Commissioner at SAPS detective services, Vinesh Moonoo and Senior Superintendent Attie Lamprecht.
“The response from other countries has been over-whelming. Our SMS tip-off service has impressed the world. We shared our experiences and we gained insight into other programmes. Countries which are looking to start text messaging soon include Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and parts of the USA,” said Abramjee.
Michael Gordon-Gibson, International Relations Committee chairperson and Vice-President of Crime Stoppers International, said: “We have been keeping a close eye on the successes being achieved in South Africa and we are over-whelmed. It shows the benefit of partnerships between the public, the media and law enforcement agencies. Your SMS initiative has impressed all if us. It also needs to be extended to other African countries.”
Chairman of Crime Stoppers Australia, Peter Price, said: “It is encouraging to see the growth in South Africa in such a short space of time. This is a clear indication that the entire community has embraced the concept and it is contributing to a safer society. We are hoping to start SMS tip-offs in Australia next year.”
Crime Stoppers International President, Gary Murphy, said: “I must admit that your tremendous growth of tip-offs in South Africa has taken all of us by surprise.
“In a climate of fear, crime tip-offs are a valuable tool to law enforcement agencies. It is the responsibility of everyone to fight crime.
“Community intelligence is vital. The police cannot fight crime alone. We have a duty to assist them and I am pleased to see that South Africans have formed important partnerships,”
The United Nations have also praised South Africa’s lead. Brian Taylor of UN’s Office of Drugs and Crime, said: “Programmes such as the Primedia initiative provides the gateway to get the community to talk to the police – without really talking to them.
“It is encouraging to hear that people are blowing the whistle on drugs and human trafficking. Much of the tip-offs are on a local level and these tip-offs are important. But, we must also eventually get to the more serious guys.
“Cocaine, Heroin and Cannibas smuggling are increasing. I appeal to the people of your country to provide the 32211 SMS number with information anonymously so that the SAPS can get to the drug dealers and smugglers,” said Taylor.
Assistant SAPS Commissioner Moonoo said the South African delegation also held discussions with the Crime Stoppers International executive and “they have promised to pay more attention to the African continent in future.”
“It was also agreed that South Africa will soon have a voice on the board of directors ” said Moonoo. “We earlier voiced our dissatisfaction about our representation on the Crime Stoppers executive.”
Senior Supt Lambrecht said the conference again reiterated the importance of community involvement in solving crime. The role of the community is of paramount importance.”
“With the 2010 Soccer World Cup coming, we can use the Crime Stop and Primedia initiatives to gather vital intelligence to ensure the safety of all visitors. Experience has shown that Crime Stoppers also play a major role in security peaceful national and international events,” said Lambrecht
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