A CHARITY which aims to reduce crime in the county has stepped up its fight by appointing a regional manager and volunteer committee.

Emily van der Lely has joined the Crimestoppers charity as a manager to oversee the charity’s work in the county.

And one of her first tasks is to enlist new volunteers to help her carry out vital campaigns and fundraising activity.

“Crimestoppers has more than 600 volunteers working with them across the country,” she said.

“They all have a wealth of expertise – from marketing to campaigns and fundraising experience. And they’re vital to helping spread the Crimestoppers message to all the corners of the country.

“Wiltshire has never had a Crimestoppers committee before but we recognise that there is plenty of good work to be done and we’re sure there are willing volunteers who would like to keep their communities safe.”

Emily has worked in the charity sector for 12 years with organisations including the Salvation Army and Shelter.

She joins Crimestoppers from a youth charity in Cheltenham, where she was a communications and fundraising manager.

She said: “I’m excited to be helping to promote a unique service like Crimestoppers.

“Crimestoppers is a charity that offers members of the public the chance to give information about crime anonymously – we’re the only organisation that does this in the UK.

“There are people who, for whatever reason, don’t feel comfortable speaking to the police.

“They may have information on someone close to them but they fear repercussions or they don’t want to give a statement or go to court.

“But they may have vital information about crime and it’s essential that they feel they can pass that on to someone.

“Crimestoppers takes the fear out of giving information on crime. We don’t take personal details and we can’t trace information given on the phone or online.

Since we were founded we’ve passed on 1.6 million pieces of information to police, which has resulted in over 132,000 arrests and charges.”

If you’re interested in volunteering contact volunteering@crimestoppers-uk.org.