Community Urged to Speak Up: Crime Stoppers NSW Makes a Huge Impact on Crime Reduction

11 March 2025

Crime Stoppers NSW is calling on the community to play a critical role in crime prevention, with recent statistics showing that anonymous tips have led to over $13 million worth of drugs being seized and more than 305 arrests in 2024 alone.

Last year, Crime Stoppers received over 93,000 reports, equating to around 250 contacts daily, helping police enforce the law and hold offenders accountable. With most reports now made online, the organisation is encouraging people to continue providing information that could be the missing piece in solving a crime.

For over 35 years, Crime Stoppers has worked to keep communities across New South Wales safe. To reinforce its message, the organisation is travelling to various locations to educate residents on why reporting crime is crucial and how their information is used.

Recent research commissioned by Crime Stoppers NSW in February 2025 revealed that more than half of respondents (55%) had never reported a crime tip, while 21% had considered doing so but ultimately didn’t. The study highlighted several key factors influencing whether someone chooses to report:

50% would report a crime if it directly affected them or a family member.
Only 9% were motivated to report if it affected someone outside their immediate circle.
37% said they would report regardless of who was impacted, showing a strong sense of civic responsibility.
The biggest barriers to reporting were uncertainty, fear, and a lack of confidence.
While 64% of NSW adults understand they can report to Crime Stoppers confidentially, 36% remain unaware of this crucial safeguard.

Crime Stoppers NSW CEO, Peter Price AM, reassured the community that all reports—whether online or via phone—are made in confidence, with no caller or computer ID recorded. “We don’t need to know who you are—just what you know,” he emphasised.The Minister for Police and Counter-Terrorism, Yasmin Catley, stressed the importance of public intelligence, saying, “Crime Stoppers is a bridge between the community and the police. If you see something, hear something, or know something—speak up. Your tip could be the missing piece of a much larger puzzle.”

Crime Stoppers tips have played a pivotal role in solving major cases, including:

Strike Force Roslyn (2022): Community reports helped corroborate evidence in the fatal shooting of Zachary Davies-Scott, leading to the charging of three men.
Strike Force Zygon (2024): Crime Stoppers reports assisted in the investigation of two murder victims in Botany. While no arrests have been made, authorities have identified suspects overseas.
Strike Force Ajo (2024): Public assistance helped locate stolen firearms from the Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum, resulting in three arrests and the recovery of 20 firearms.
Strike Force Harthouse: Anonymous tips led to raids on cannabis crops, uncovering more than $5 million worth of drugs, firearms, and cash, with multiple arrests made.
Homicide Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty highlighted that community tips often provide the final puzzle piece needed to solve a case. “By supporting Crime Stoppers, the community plays a direct role in making our streets safer,” he said.

With online reporting on the rise, Crime Stoppers is urging the public to come forward with any information—no matter how small. “A seemingly minor detail could be what police need to crack a case,” Price said. “If you see something, hear something, or know something—say something.”

Crime Stoppers will visit 10 locations NSW to encourage reporting and provide crime prevention tips to keep families and communities safe.

To report a crime tip confidentially, visit Crime Stoppers NSW.