Crimestoppers, the independent crime-fighting charity that takes up to 1,000 anonymous phone tip-offs a day, is examining ways of gathering information on criminals using Facebook and Twitter.
The charity has 25,000 followers on Twitter and 10,500 supporters on Facebook. About 10 people a day who use the Facebook page to give information on crimes are redirected to a secure online form, but Crimestoppers is looking at software which will allow people to report crimes anonymously — and securely — using social media.
The charity’s founder, Lord Ashcroft, said: “In 25 years we have not had a single breach of confidence.” He said one person each week is charged with murder as a result of information received by Crimestoppers, which marked its 25th anniversary with a House of Lords reception last night.
