Evaluation of the Impact of Crimestoppers

• NCJ Number: 192208
• Author(s): Peter Gresham; Janet Stockdale; Ivon Bartholomew; Karen Bullock
• Date Published: November 2001
• Length: 6 pages
• Sale Source: Great Britain Home Office, Policing and Reducing Crime Unit
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This briefing note summarized research evaluating the Crimestoppers program in the United Kingdom.

Abstract

The study analyzed national data as well as information gathered from three regions to evaluate the effectiveness of the Crimestoppers program and its contributions to detection, investigation, and prosecution. The research attempts to quantify data involving inputs, outcomes, and cost effectiveness, and identifies areas where improvements are needed. Crimestoppers data actually underestimated its worth, noting that 17 percent of the calls received in 2000 resulted in arrests, charges, or warnings. Crimestoppers were also responsible for the recovery of large amounts of stolen property. The study also concludes that Crimestoppers yielded benefits well in excess of costs. The following recommendations were presented: more calls should be answered by officers; more effort should be made to verify information before passing it to an investigator; there should be more feedback between Crimestoppers and investigating officers; and more effort should be made to increase awareness of the benefits of the program among police officers and the public. Flow chart and two tables.