The community continues to play a key role in a fight against crime as a charity releases end of year figures for Gloucestershire.

Figures released by independent charity Crimestoppers have revealed that the number of pieces of information passed onto police in Gloucestershire increased on the previous year by 32 per cent.

This increase highlights a growing awareness of Crimestoppers and its work in local communities, while also highlighting the significant role the public plays in the fight against crime.

Having recently celebrated National Volunteers Week, it is also important to recognise the role that volunteers in Gloucestershire have played in helping to engage with local people and tackle crimes affecting the area.

Gloucestershire Ambassador Lead, Linda Jones, has been hugely successful in promoting the National Ambassador Scheme, designed to increase awareness of the charity and the work that they do.

Linda's dedication to the Gloucestershire Crimestoppers Committee has resulted in 31 organisations, agencies and businesses signing up as ambassadors, three of which presented at the recent Ambassador Appreciation event at Kingsholm.

Crimestoppers Regional Manager Emily van der Lely said: "I would like to personally thank Linda for her devoted time and support.

"It is this that has enabled the Crimestoppers Ambassador Scheme to be such a success in Gloucestershire"

The Gloucestershire Committee is keen to continue raising awareness and encourage more businesses and agencies to sign up as an ambassador.

Once signed up, the committee provides all promotional materials and support to spread the message of the charity's service internally, with staff and volunteers, then externally with clients and service users.

In return ambassadors receive a framed certificate, a link to their website on the Gloucestershire Crimestoppers web page, social media support and an invitation to network at the annual Appreciation Event.

Should you be interested in becoming an ambassador, send an e-mail to Ambassadors.Gloucester@crimestoppers-uk.org. 

Crimestoppers Chairman for Gloucestershire Tony Butler said: "What these results represent is a continued effort from the public and Crimestoppers to keep our communities safe and bring wanted criminals to justice.

"The Gloucestershire Committee is well-established and has been extremely successful, but I cannot thank our local communities enough for trusting us with their information - and to our volunteers who dedicate so much of their time to ensure we continue the fight to provide a crime-free community.

"With your help, you can make these results even better next year by contacting Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through our Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org ."