The 111 Files: A word from public can help tackle crime

Social media and Crimestoppers help police protect the community but dialling 111 is still the way to go in an emergency. Photo / File

THE evolution of technology over recent years has changed the way we communicate and added real value to investigating crime.

To be effective at preventing crime, the police rely on the community telling us what's happening out there, calling in suspicious activity as it happens.

Traditionally this has been calls to the police via 111 or phone call or visit to the local station. Social media and Crimestoppers have added to the ways the public can pass on information.

Please remember, though, that if you need urgent police assistance, call 111.

For those who don't know about Crimestoppers, it is an independent organisation (not part of police) which provides a toll-free number, 0800 555 111, to pass on anonymous information about a crime.

The information is taken by a Crimestoppers call taker, then forwarded to police via a secure platform, with guaranteed anonymity.

I have managed several serious crime inquiries which have been solved with Crimestoppers' assistance.

Often the Crimestoppers information on its own is not enough for police to act on, but forms part of the bigger picture and can fill in the gaps.

Crimestoppers has been particularly helpful with drug and organised-crime investigations. It may take two or three different callers to get enough information to apply for a search warrant, but police look at all information coming in.

The Bay of Plenty Police Facebook page is another way the public passes on information, particularly through the private message board. It is not monitored 24/7 and is not a platform to report crimes, but we have had successes which help crime victims as a result of people passing on information about current investigations, wanted offenders, missing people, stolen property and drugs.

Some people don't feel comfortable talking to us face to face or on the phone, and social media is providing a great alternative for direct but private interaction.

We receive a lot of information and at times it may seem we aren't acting on it because there aren't instant results, but be assured it is not ignored; sometimes we have to build on it. We collate the information and add to it until we get enough to go to the court for a search warrant or make an arrest.

When we seek a search warrant we must demonstrate to the court why we suspect an offence has been committed and why we believe we will find evidence at a particular place.

Even the smallest scrap of information can be valuable, so thanks to all who have passed information on. However we get it, it is appreciated, and where we can we will use it to prevent harm in our community.

What you tell us can make a big difference.

• Detective Senior Sergeant Zane Smith is Rotorua CIB manager