There were 5,130 tips to Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers in 2019 covering the region from Boston Bar to the Sunshine Coast, an increase of three per cent over last year. Perhaps the most astonishing statistic is that information from these anonymous tips played a role in recovering a total of $10.2 million worth of property and drugs last year, up from $1.7 million the year before.

VANCOUVER –Crime Stoppers says the group has been effective in the fight against property crime and drugs.

Year end statistics published in Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers' 2019 Impact Report to kick off "National Crime Stoppers Month" demonstrate just how effective anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers can be.

There were 5,130 tips to Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers in 2019 covering the region from Boston Bar to the Sunshine Coast, an increase of three per cent over last year.

Perhaps the most astonishing statistic is that information from these anonymous tips played a role in recovering a total of $10.2 million worth of property and drugs last year, up from $1.7 million the year before.

"Although it's probably not a number we can expect every year, it does show how powerful useful information is when it's anonymously supplied through us to police and other authorities," says Linda Annis, Executive Director of Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers. "Of course, each year's statistics are independent from each other, but we do note an increase in the number of tips this year compared to 2018. Tips about gang crime and illegal guns figure prominently in many of the calls we receive. Simply put, the numbers show how well the program is working because we guarantee anonymity for anyone supplying information, and because the information could lead to a reward of up to $2000."

In all, 87 arrests were made from information received in tips in 2019, including the arrest of five gang members. A total of 165 charges were laid.

About Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers

Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers is a non-profit society and registered charity that offers rewards for anonymous tip information about criminal activity and provides it to investigators in the communities of Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  People can leave anonymous tips in a variety of ways including Crime Stoppers' smartphone app, calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at solvecrime.ca<http://www.solvecrime.ca>, by following the link on the Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers Facebook page<https://www.facebook.com/metrovancouvercrimestoppers/> or using the new Crime Stoppers tip reporting app.

Crime Stoppers accepts tips in 115 different languages. If the information provided results in a charge or an arrest, a cash reward may be offered. Tipsters stay anonymous by using code numbers to collect their rewards.  Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers is not the police and operates solely on funds donated or generated through fundraising events. Tax-deductible donations are gratefully received anytime by accessing the "donate" link at solvecrime.ca<http://www.solvecrime.ca