Ram Raids and retail crime have reached alarming levels in New Zealand, with numerous incidents reported everyday across the country. In response to this growing issue, Crime Stoppers, an independent charity dedicated to preventing crime by providing an anonymous and simple way to pass on information, has launched a new campaign focusing on Ram Raids.
The campaign aims to raise awareness about the power of anonymous reporting in putting an end to these criminal activities.
Kicking off on the King's Birthday long weekend, Crime Stoppers has strategically placed large posters in Ram Raid hotspots in Auckland, Hamilton, and Christchurch. These posters educate about the safe sharing of information, focusing on what you know rather than who you are.
Hadyn Smith, the CEO of Crime Stoppers, emphasises the detrimental impact of Ram Raids on the younger generation. He says that these crimes are enticing the younger generation into the gang mindset, creating a vicious cycle that needs to be broken.
“Nothing about Ram Raids is acceptable, but those that are in the know are often too scared to say anything. Speaking up to break someone out of a life of crime is indeed the right thing to do. Crime Stoppers is a safe, anonymous, and independent reporting alternative to the authorities that allows anyone to speak up in a safe and timely fashion,” Smith says.
Smith further says, “It's also an opportunity for us to emphasise that Crime Stoppers is not the Police, that we are truly independent and any report to us is 100% anonymous. One call about a Ram Raid or car theft or who was involved, could perhaps remove someone from a life of crime or a whanau from the misery of being stuck in a bad place.”
The campaign's objective extends beyond reporting knowledge of Ram Raids. It aims to build awareness about how Crime Stoppers can assist communities not only now but also in the future.
The organisation acknowledges individuals' apprehension when considering reporting to the Police. Crime Stoppers is committed to maintaining anonymity throughout the process. They do not trace calls and destroy all records of any caller after forwarding the report to the relevant authorities. Calls to Crime Stoppers are toll-free and do not appear on phone bills.
They pass on this information to the relevant authorities, ensuring that the reporter's identity remains protected. For those who may not feel comfortable making a phone call, an online form submission option is available.
After receiving a call or online submission, Crime Stoppers compiles a comprehensive report that incorporates all the provided information. Call takers thoroughly review the report to ensure no details that could identify the reporter are included. The report is then forwarded to the appropriate agency, such as the local Police, Customs, Corrections, or Immigration, depending on their legal responsibility for addressing the information. This may result in immediate action or contribute to a broader intelligence picture for future use.
Prashant Patel a Christchurch resident, welcomed the awareness campaign and said, “Being a new migrant, I did not know something like this existed. The platform gives me the confidence to report a crime without jeopardising the safety my family or myself.”
The campaign by Crime Stoppers will hopefully serve as a powerful call to action for the community. It highlights the role each community member can play in reducing crime by sharing information anonymously.
