Four Crime Stoppers tipsters have each received $500 rewards over the past two months for providing information that led to successful outcomes in various cases involving illicit drugs, a registered sex offender, stolen property and dangerous driving.
According to Crime Stoppers Tasmania Chair David Daniels, the information obtained through anonymous tips was passed on to police for investigation.
“When information given through Crime Stoppers leads to an arrest or charges, that person may be eligible to receive a reward – even when we don’t know who they are,” he said.
Assistant Commissioner Robert Blackwood said the payments reflect the “significant” nature of the information provided.
“Not every tip-off gets a reward and not everyone wants a reward either,” he said.
“The value of the reward is very dependent on the nature of the information given and the magnitude of the outcome.”
The rewards were given out for the following tips:
Drug Trafficking: A tip provided information about a hydroponic drug set up with an estimated street value of $107,000, leading to the arrest of the offender.
Dangerous Driving: Dashcam footage uploaded online showed a vehicle hooning on a public road, which helped identify the vehicle and driver. The vehicle was impounded and the driver charged with hooning offences and fined over $1,000.
Arrest of convicted sex offender: A tip alerted police to the failure of a convicted sex offender to comply with conditions, prompting an investigation that led to the arrest and conviction of the individual.
Recovery of stolen property: A tip enabled police to execute a search warrant, leading to the discovery of $40,000 of stolen property, two firearms and illicit drugs. The offender was charged with nine offences.
Tasmania Police receive around 23 tip-offs a day through Crime Stoppers, most of which are anonymous.
“We see real appetite from the community to provide that information online,” Blackwood said.
“Without that information, [the cases] would have continued on.”
“The community, through Crime Stoppers is a powerful weapon for our police and this ultimately makes Tasmania safer for everyone.”
