Our Timeline
November 1 1987
Crime Stoppers Australia Ltd (CSA) established
Crime Stoppers Australia established as an independent not-for-profit registered charity, representing the collective eight state and territory programs in Australia.
The Board of Directors is made up of representatives from volunteer Boards for each jurisdiction and a Senior Executive representing the Australian Police Commissioners.
June 30 2002
More than 21,000 arrests achieved
Since it inception, Crime Stoppers across Australia received (up to 30 June 2002) a total of 1,131,750 calls, 21,537 arrests and 82,938 charges.
November 8 2006
Updated National website launched
Crime Stoppers Australia launches a website as an additional means of engaging with the community, offering easy access links to state and territory-based programs.
July 27 2009
Lockwood partnership announced
This announcement marked a new strategic partnership in Crime Prevention for Australia and remained in place for more than a decade
August 24 2009
Crime Stoppers expands focus to crime prevention
Whilst a key focus of CSA operations remained on crime solving, CSA began to broaden its perspective to take a pro-active position in crime prevention, urging homeowners and businesses to mark assets of significant value.
November 1 2009
Crime Stoppers Australia launches national initiative to combat movie piracy in conjunction with AFACT – Australian Federation Against Copyright theft
July 1 2010
Operation ROAM launched
This campaign targeted 17 of Australia’s most wanted fugitives who had been on the run for between three (3) and 16 years – the campaign resulted in the apprehension of eight (8) fugitives within the first month.
October 1 2010
CSA conducted a joint national operation in coordination with Police targeting Methamphetamine production and distribution
The 2-week national blitz promoted a call to action asking people to share information about suspected clan labs in their community. The initiative resulted in 375 arrests, seizure of 28kg of drugs, 23 firearms and over $140,000 in cash.
December 31 2011
National statistics for 2011
The year saw 216,144 calls received across the nation, resulting in 82,493 Information Reports, 5,127 arrests and 12,081 charges laid.
January 1 2012
National initiatives for the year
Identity Theft Awareness: An education program explaining the do’s and don’ts and how to best protect your identity.
Outlaw Motor Cycle Gangs: Working with Police across certain States and Territories, a campaign was developed to encourage the public to call Crime Stoppers with relevant information.
Operation INFRA9: A worldwide fugitive hunt coordinated by Interpol and supported by Crime Stoppers International and Crime Stoppers Australia.
March 25 2012
Mobile version of the website launched
This initiative allowed uploading of information about criminal activity together with photos and videos using a smart phone or tablet computer.
June 1 2013
New look logo introduced nationally
December 31 2014
2014 National results released
National results in 2014 saw 113,000 intelligence reports written from 252,000 contacts, leading to 5,419 arrests and 16,022 charges laid for a range of crimes.
February 16 2015
Inaugural Crime Stoppers Day launched across Australia
National Crime Stoppers Day 2015 marked the achievement of more than one million people contacting Crime Stoppers since it was founded in Australia in 1987, with the total number of arrests resulting from Crime Stoppers reports passing 50,000.
August 17 2015
National fugitive operation launched
The initiative was a joint operation between Crime Stoppers and all police jurisdictions around Australia to track down 20 of the country’s most wanted fugitives.
February 22 2016
Dob in a Dealer national campaign announced
During the campaign more than 3.6kgs of illicit substances, including methylamphetamine, representing more than $860,000 worth of illicit drugs, were seized by police and prevented from being trafficked throughout Australia and further afield. The Dob in a Dealer initiative also generated significant media interest, estimated to be valued at almost $7.5million.
August 15 2016
Operation Roam launched
Operation Roam asked for the public’s help to catch 19 fugitives, with 12 of those wanted people located thanks to help from the community.
May 15 2017
National Crime Stoppers Day
As part of the day Crime Stoppers released a new animated video which helps to inform Australians about the methods by which they can contact Crime Stoppers.
July 10 2017
Three-month National Firearms Amnesty campaign launched
CSA implemented a national Illicit Firearms Campaign funded by the Attorney General’s Department to support the amnesty. The grass roots community focus adopted engaged more than 255,000 people through 79 community events delivered across the country and reached almost 1.4 million people via social media.
The campaign drew international accolades, being recognised at the 2018 Crime Stoppers International Awards for Excellence.
August 21 2017
Operation Roam launched
Operation Roam | Rogue Radar saw images of 20 wanted people in Australia and asked for community help to catch them.
May 20 2018
Crime Stoppers Day
The theme of the 2018 event was ‘crime is crime in any language’ to encourage people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds to share what they know about unsolved crimes and suspicious activity.
September 1 2018
2nd Dob in a Dealer national campaign launched
The national initiative asked for information about manufacturing, dealing and trafficking of all illicit drug types in the community. A total of 47,277 drug-related Information Reports were received, 81 local engagement events conducted, 2,293 drug-related Information Reports received and more than 1800 media features noted. An estimated total social media audience reach of 1,939,072 people occurred, with more than 101,000 likes, comments and shares.
November 1 2018
Chairperson Sharon Hanlon elected President of Crime Stoppers International (CSI)
Ms Hanlon was the first woman to hold the post.
November 1 2018
Crime Stoppers Australia launches Facebook page
See our Facebook page here.
December 31 2018
2018 national results released
In 2018, Crime Stoppers programs across the nation received 319,861 contacts via the hotline, website and other means, resulting in 145,442 information reports, resulting in 5,406 apprehensions and more than 15,580 charges laid.
May 16 2019
Diana Forrester elected Chair of Crime Stoppers Australia
In addition to being the first woman to hold this important national post, Diana is also Chair of ACT Region Crime Stoppers.
May 27 2019
Impact Report released
The Impact Report, released on Crime Stoppers Day, estimated the economic value of Crime Stoppers to Australia as $170m, with an additional $66m in added value from drugs being seized, property returned, and crimes being prevented. Every dollar invested in Crime Stoppers delivers an outstanding $11.15 in return value.
May 30 2019
20th year milestone of Crime Stoppers in every Australian State and Territory
December 31 2019
Crime Stoppers achieves one contact every two minutes resulting in 100 apprehensions every week
A total of 313,655 contacts were received in 2019 about criminals and illegal activity, leading to 155,240 information reports for follow-up action by police, resulting in 5,215 apprehensions and 18,686 charges.
January 23 2020
New website launched
The completely revamped website ensured a one-stop shop for anyone wanting to contact any of the eight Crime Stoppers programs across the nation, access the latest crime prevention information about how to stay safe, as well as learn more about a range of national Crime Stoppers award-winning campaigns.
Read the media release here.
May 18 2020
Crime Stoppers Day
An independent national survey reveals as many as 1 in 5 Australians choose to turn a blind eye to unsolved crime and suspicious activity rather than speaking out, prompting the theme “Trust Your Gut.”
October 27 2020
YouTube channel launched
Visit our YouTube channel here.
May 17 2021
Crime Stoppers Day
Crime Stoppers Day 2021 provided opportunity to remind people that their superpower is the courage to speak up and share what they know about unsolved crime and suspicious activity.
Read more here.
July 1 2021
National Firearms Amnesty launch – Phase 1
In July 2021, Crime Stoppers Australia partnered with the Department of Home Affairs to promote a permanent national firearms amnesty, which gave people opportunity to hand in unwanted and unregistered firearms, parts and ammunition without fear of penalty. More than 11,000 firearms were handed in across the nation during a 3-month campaign.
Read more here.
November 25 2021
Dr Vince Hughes appointed as National Chair
Crime Stoppers Australia Board member Dr Vince Hughes is announced as the new Chair of Crime Stoppers Australia, following the not-for-profit’s Annual General Meeting.
Read more here.
February 3 2022
National Illicit Firearms campaign – Phase 2 launched
Crime Stoppers launches Phase Two of the National Illicit Firearms Campaign, with Crime Stoppers jurisdictions across Australia encouraging people to share what they know about illegal guns through dozens of local engagement activities over a 3-month period.
Read more here.
May 23 2022
Make the Right Call campaign unveiled
With some people unsure about when to contact Crime Stoppers versus Police Assistance and Triple 000, Crime Stoppers Australia used Crime Stoppers Day on Monday, 23 May 2022 to set the record straight through the Make the Right Call campaign. Read more here.
October 5 2022
Wildlife Crime & the Law teachers’ resource released
With the Illegal trade in wildlife estimated to be worth up to AU$30 billion globally per year, Crime Stoppers worked with some of Australia’s leading education professionals to develop a Wildlife Crime and the Law teachers’ resource for educators of Years 7-10 students. Read more here.
November 25 2022
National Crime Stoppers Day receives global accolade
We are proud to win the Specialised Program Award (for a population over 3 million) in the Crime Stoppers International awards in recognition of our ‘not all heroes wear capes’ theme for Crime Stoppers Day 2021 – which looked to remind everyday Australians they can help solve or prevent crimes.
January 2 2023
Online reports exceed phone contacts to Crime Stoppers
A rapidly growing number of Australians are going online to share information about unsolved crimes and suspicious activity with Crime Stoppers, with our 2022 calendar year results marking the first time online reports outnumbered phone calls.
March 28 2023
Illicit Drugs campaign launched
Crime Stoppers Australia launches the “They’ll never know” campaign, using $3.55 million from seized criminal assets to turn the tables on organised crime and the illicit drug trade. Read the media release here.
June 27 2023
Multi-language assets bolster drug trade crackdown
A suite of multi-language options are released in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Malay, Punjabi, Spanish and Vietnamese, the range of promotional materials encourage people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities to anonymously share information about the illicit drug trade. Read more here.
July 17 2023
Drug Crime and the Law teaching pack released
There are more than 35 links to videos, websites, apps and worksheets within the latest pack, covering drug trafficking, drug crime and the law and the signs of illegal drug manufacture, supply and distribution. Find out more here.
