Crime Stop
Message From The Divisional Commissioner: Detective Service:
J F De Beer
Thanks to Crime Stop there is now a far greater chance of
criminals being exposed by people who previously would not
contact the police, owing to a fear of becoming involved, or, in
some cases, a genuine fear of retaliation.
Proficient policing is an alliance between the people of
South Africa, government, the media and the police. It's about
all individuals in South Africa accepting responsibility for
their part in shining the spotlight on criminals and reducing
crime and improving community safety.
All the Crime Stopper programmes world-wide are now revolting
against criminals . . . a Crime Stop revolution such as South
Africa has never seen. We are no longer divided by
personalities - we are united by a purpose. Our purpose is a
safe and secure South Africa through justice.
Community safety and security is a partnership based upon
interdependence. This is particularly so in regard to crime
prevention and detection. The police cannot ever be omnipresent.
Criminals bargain on this, and some communities are consequently
ruled by violence and fear. The only way to make criminals
back-off is to expose them for what they are - they have no
regard for the lives of our children. Let’s turn the tide
together and let the criminals become the hunted and not the
hunters.
By presenting a comfortable and painless alternative through
anonymity and the possibility of rewards to callers, Crime Stop
has removed all excuses to remain a victim of intimidation. As
Ian McKeithen said “Decision is a sharp knife that cuts clean and straight. Indecision is a dull one that hacks and
tears and leaves ragged edges behind”.
Our Crime Stop programme in South Africa is one of the
strongest and most effective in the world. We must continue to
work in such partnerships to prevent and detect crime, for crime
prevention really is everyone's business.
Please unite and let us instil the fear where it belongs - in
the minds and hearts of criminals. Lets turn the tide together.
Phone Crime Stop at 08600 10111. You have nothing to loose
and much to gain.
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What Is Crime Stop 08600 10111?
Crime Stop is a range of call centres responsible for
collecting information / intelligence on criminal activity from
the public. When phoning 08600 10111, members of the public are
assisted by trained interviewing specialists to pass on
information about criminal activity to the SAPS in a safe and
non-threatening environment. A reward is offered to persons
calling the Crime Stop Call Centre that information that assists
the SAPS in investigating and solving crimes. Callers may remain
anonymous if they so wish.
The Crime Stop programme has enjoyed great success. The
programme has solved over a quarter of a million criminal cases
and recovered over R1 billion worth of stolen property and
narcotics since 1994.
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Why Do We In South Africa Need Crime Stop?
Crime Stop is based on the understanding that "Someone other
than the criminal has information that can solve a crime". It
was created to combat the problems the SAPS and law enforcement
world wide face in obtaining such information.
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Conventional Community Policing Models Have The Following
Problems, Which Are Countered By Crime Stop:
- Uncertainty on how and where to ‘tip’ the police on
criminal activity.
- Impassivity, as many don’t have time to become involved in
time-consuming court procedures.
- Reluctance to become involved in the fight against crime
as people at times feel the police won’t regard information as
important. (Crime Stop puts all information on a database, as
part of proper information / intelligence management
procedures.)
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Crime Stop Resolves Normal Community Policing Threats By:
- Offering anonymity to people who provide information about
crimes.
- Acting as an agent between the informer and the
investigator.
- Rewards when the information supplied helps in the solving
of crime.
- Offering a safe service that people can trust to make a
difference in the lives of many.
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Three Essential Elements Make Up The Crime Stop Programme
Community members other than the criminal and the police,
often have information that could solve a crime. A telephone
call from such persons is the bloodline for the Crime Stop
programme in South Africa
The media publicises Crime Stop processes, methods,
objectives, successes and phone numbers on a regular basis. The
community is thus sensitised to do the right thing.
Crime Stop Call Centres with the well publicised number 08600
10111 are provided to the community. Callers are assigned a
special code number and never have to give their names. Should
the information assist in the positive investigation of a
criminal case, a caller is entitled to a reward.
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Reporting Criminal Activity - Pro Active Or
Reactive?
Phone crime stop on 08600 10111 if you have information about
any crime, or any suspicious activities, or if you think you
have useful information that may help prevent a crime or help
the police in the investigation of a crime which has already
taken place.
When you phone the 08600 10111 Crime Stop number, you will reach
the Crime Stop call centre seven days a week 24-hours a day. A
team of trained interviewers answer the phones. An interviewer
will take down the details, and ask for as much information as
you can remember about the crime, or suspicious incident.
Callers need not give their names, and they are given a unique
code number, which must be remembered. Callers can remain
anonymous and therefore need not fear involvement or retaliation.
This is paramount to the success of the Crime Stop program.
Calls are not traced, and your telephone number is not visible.
The unique code you are given allows you to phone back at a
later time if you remember something further, or want to enquire
about the case.
crimestopgauteng@saps.org.za
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Phone The Police On 10111 In The Case Of Life-Threatening
Emergencies
This number should be used in the case of emergencies where
life is threatened or if police attendance is required for
non-life threatening emergencies. The 10111 number can be used
anywhere in South Africa.
Please! do not abuse this service as other emergency services
such as the fire brigade and ambulance services can also be
activated though this 10111 number.
Poor Service Delivery
Phone the SAPS Service Evaluation, number 0860 13 0860, if
you want to bring poor police service under our attention for
investigation.
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