CRIMESTOPPERS Trust has introduced a revolutionary service to help fight crime and increase the service's success as the people's weapon against unlawful acts in the community.

A new web site has been launched, containing the details of more than 30 serious crimes from all over the country, including Greater Manchester.

The site will encourage those with information on these crimes to call anonymously the CrimeStoppers freephone number, 0800 555 111.

In addition to the web site, an experimental system has been introduced to enable informants to e-mail the information while remaining anonymous.

All messages are routed through a facility which removes e-mail addresses.

Prestwich woman Sue Arden, regional manager for Greater Manchester CrimeStoppers, said: "The web is an increasingly popular means of communication and we cannot miss any opportunity to produce vital information on crime. "The freephone number works extremely well, but this web site will be a further string to our bow and, by introducing new technology, we can become more efficient and reach a wider audience."

She added: "Many people still hang back from reporting crime because they fear the possible consequences, which is why CrimeStoppers was established in the first place.

"This web site provides another option for people who do know something but don't want to get involved for fear of reprisals if they speak up.

"Hopefully, the e-mail system will soon be fully operational, giving people the choice to not speak at all, but just type and send their information, further distancing themselves from the act of reporting crime."

CrimeStoppers has been running in Greater Manchester for eight years.

During that time, 49,851 positive calls have been received, leading to 3,123 arrests and property worth more than £7 million being recovered.

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