Crimestoppers urging people across the West Midlands to report regular drug-drivers after increase in calls - The Malvern Observer

Crimestoppers urging people across the West Midlands to report regular drug-drivers after increase in calls

Malvern Editorial 25th Jan, 2022   0

CRIMESTOPPERS are urging people across the West Midlands region to anonymously report dangerous drug drivers on the road, writes Holly Martin.

The independent charity, with D.tec International, has extended its campaign to the end of January appealing for information on those who regularly get behind the wheel and drug drive.

Last month, the charity revealed new national statistics which showed the number of drug driving reports Crimestoppers received anonymously and passed on to law enforcement had risen from 5,028 (April 2018 to March 2019) to 10,580 (April 2020 to March 2021) – a 110 per cent increase over three years.

Now, latest figures from over the festive season covering the West Midlands, show that dozens have been arrested for drug driving.




One in 20 fatalities on our roads nationally is caused by drug drivers.

Crimestoppers’ campaign highlights how drug drivers put not only their own, but other people’s lives at risk.


The charity is independent of the police and guarantees complete anonymity to more than 1,500 people who contact the charity each and every day.

This promise has been kept since the charity began back in the late 1980s, helping to give a voice to the fifth of people it’s estimated who refuse to speak to the police

D.tec International supplies DrugWipe, the drug detection device which has been used extensively for roadside driver drug screening by all 43 police forces across the UK for the last seven years.

The information Crimestoppers needs on anyone suspected of drug or drink driving regularly includes – a description of the person, where they take drugs and how often, the type of drugs, when and where they are driving and the vehicles make and registration number.

Mick Duthie, Director of Operations at the charity Crimestoppers, said: “Our charity believes in community safety and that includes helping to keep our streets safe for all.

“Tackling drug driving is a significant part of the problem, which is why we have decided to extend our appeal for anonymous information on drug drivers until the end of January.

“We ask anyone in the West Midlands and across the rest of the country with information to tell us what they know. We guarantee you will stay 100 per cent anonymous.”

Ean Lewin, Managing Director of D.tec International, added: “Protecting lives is exactly the reason why we are so passionate about our work trying to improve road safety.

Drug driving, like drink driving, has severe consequences and I urge anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers and take advantage of their guarantee of total anonymity.”

People in the West Midlands with information about regular drug drivers are asked to complete Crimestoppers’ simple and secure anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or alternatively call the charity’s UK Contact Centre on freephone 0800 555 111.  You will stay 100% anonymous. Always.

If it is an emergency, people should always contact the police by calling 999.

 

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