Skoda links up with police to help promote Crimestoppers service

Car giant Skoda has teamed up with Crimestoppers Scotland in a bid to drive down crime in the Highlands.

Skoda Business Sales representative Jane Barker flew up from London this week to hand over the keys to a new car, which will be used by Police in the Highlands to promote the crime fighting charity.

She presented the Skoda Fabia TDI to Crimestoppers’ Highlands and Islands and Grampian co-ordinator Alison Chandler and Northern Constabulary’s Crimestoppers liaison officer Inspector Colin Gough at Force headquarters in Inverness.

The vehicle is being supplied free of charge for six months through local dealer, Delmore Cars, and will be geared towards promoting Crimestoppers at public events and through general Policing.

The charity also handed Delmore Cars representative Robert Osborne with a Crimestoppers Associate Members plaque, the first to a business within the Highlands and Islands.

Jane Barker, Direct Sales Manager for Skoda Business Sales, said: "Our involvement with the emergency services represents one of the fastest growing sides of the business and we are always keen to support forces across the country.

"We are delighted to be able to support this kind of community safety initiative."

Crimestoppers Trust is a charity and is not part of the Police service. It is operated by local boards, the members of which are unpaid volunteers. It works to bring together the Police, media, local authorities, community and businesses in the fight against crime.

Crimestoppers Scotland has received over 1000 calls in the Northern area over the past two years. As a result of those calls 38 offenders have been arrested and almost £54,000 worth of stolen goods and drugs have been recovered.

Also present was the Force’s Crimestoppers liaison officer, Inspector Colin Gough, who said: "Crimestoppers is an invaluable resource for Police and we are very grateful for its continued support.

"The use of this new vehicle will allow us to further promote the Crimestoppers charity across the Highlands and ensure the area remains one of the safest places to live and work in the UK."

He added: "Anyone who has information about criminals or criminal activity should contact Police or Crimestoppers 24-7 anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Chairman of Crimestoppers Scotland, Stewart McCulloch, said: "A major part of our operation is getting the message across and we rely often on the vision of supporters like Skoda who provide the means by which we can high profile our number to the general public.

"We are delighted that the car giant is backing Crimestoppers Scotland by donating a vehicle. Now we are motoring."