Do you know when you should contact Crime Stoppers rather than Police Assistance or Triple 000? Many people don’t, so ACT Region Crime Stoppers is using national Crime Stoppers Day today to set the record straight.
The Make the Right Call campaign reminds people when they should contact Crime Stoppers to share information about unsolved crime and suspicious activity, the types of incidents that should be directed to police assistance, and what number to call in an emergency, explained Oliver Forrester, chair of ACT Region Crime Stoppers.
“Most people understand [they should] call Triple Zero (000) in a life-threatening emergency, but we still know of examples where someone dials 000 because they want directions, feel the need to complain about bad customer service, report hearing loud bangs, or to query parking issues,” Mr Forrester said.
“In a genuine emergency, these incorrect calls can place a strain on the system at a time when every second counts.”
In Australia, 000 is the main emergency service number for urgent help from police, fire, or ambulance services and should be used when someone is seriously injured or needs urgent medical help, the caller’s life or property is threatened, or they just witnessed a serious accident or crime.
The 131 444 Police Assistance number should be used when someone is a victim of a crime, and in circumstances that are not life-threatening or a time-critical emergency. The Police Assistance Line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and allows someone to report a crime or for general police inquiries. When a police response is required, the Police Assistance Line will arrange for a patrol to attend.
When someone has seen, heard, or knows something about a crime or suspicious activity that is no longer happening, they can contact Crime Stoppers by visiting crimestoppersact.com.au or calling 1800 333 000.
“ACT Region Crime Stoppers wants information about all types of crime and suspicious behaviour,” Mr Forrester said. “[You can] submit a tip online, or through our hotline if you want to speak with an operator.”
When someone contacts Crime Stoppers, they do not have to say who they are or get involved. They can share information about people wanted by police, unsolved crimes, and future crime, people whom they know or suspect have committed crimes and have not been apprehended, and any suspicious or unusual activity.
“Crime Stoppers is here for everyone and every type of crime,” Mr Forrester said. “Even the smallest piece of information can make a big difference, and a safer community can be achieved by people contacting us and sharing what they know.”
In Australia, someone contacts Crime Stoppers every minute to share information about an array of unsolved crimes and suspicious activity that is then passed to police, and leads to an average of 100 apprehensions every week across the nation.
Crime Stoppers Day is held annually across Australia. This year, Crime Stoppers Day is held today to encourage everyday Australians to help solve or prevent crimes by sharing what they know.
ACT Region Crime Stoppers is a volunteer based, not-for-profit program and registered charity. It has delivered Crime Stoppers programs to the ACT and surrounding NSW regions (Queanbeyan and Yass) since 1988. It participates in national campaigns and delivers its own to encourage members of the community to share what they know to help solve and prevent crimes and protect the community.
