Crime Stoppers is helping police make a significant impact on crime across NSW, with more than $13m worth of drugs and over 305 arrests in 2024, due to information provided directly by the community.
In the 2024 year, NSW Crime Stoppers received over 93,000 tips equating to around 250 contacts each day (phone and online), helping Police enforce the law and prosecutors to ensure people are held accountable for their crimes – with most reports now made online.
Crime Stoppers has been assisting in the safety and security of the New South Wales community for more than 35 years.
With the community critical to ensuring information is provided, Crime Stoppers is visiting communities across NSW to highlight why information should be provided and how it's used.
Crime Stoppers NSW recently commissioned research* relating to the reporting of crime tips with residents of NSW. This research shows how critical it is for the community to have confidence in the system. Conducted in February 2025, the key findings were:
- More than 55% those surveyed have never reported a tip and 21% of those considered doing so but ultimately did not.
- 50% said they would provide a crime tip if the crime directly affected themselves or a family member.
- A smaller group (9%) are motivated to report a tip when it affects others beyond their immediate circle (stronger, local community or friend) representing individuals who are still willing to act for the broader good but may not feel as strong a sense of responsibility as those reporting for themselves or family or those who will report regardless.
- A significant proportion (37%) report they would be equally likely to report regardless of who is affected, indicating a generally strong sense of civic responsibility or belief that reporting is important regardless of personal connection.
- Uncertainty was the highest barrier to providing a crime tip and this was followed by fear then a lack of confidence.
- When it comes to types of criminal activity, those involving harm to individuals are most likely to be reported, followed by property theft. The top motivators for reporting are personal and family safety, followed by preventing it from happening again. Other reasons include protecting the community, doing the right thing, seeking justice, and confidence that justice will prevail.
- While 64% of NSW adults know they can report to Crime Stoppers in confidence, 36% are unaware.
While fear and uncertainty are some of the major barriers to providing information, Crime Stoppers is reminding the community that information is provided in confidence.
"All phone calls and online reports made to Crime Stoppers are made in confidence. There is no caller or computer ID when you make a report. This is reassuring for those who don't want to be identified, don't want the person to know they had made the call, particularly if it is someone they know, like a family member or colleague. Our message to the community is we don't need to know who you are, just what you know," said Crime Stoppers NSW CEO, Mr Peter Price AM.
In the last 12 months we have seen a significant increase in online reports, and we want to encourage the community to continue to use our online portal, particularly if they have images or video footage relating to that tip.
"We want to assure the community, reporting even the smallest piece of information may be a key piece of evidence needed in solving a crime. It may seem small but with information from other sources, it could be what Police are looking for to solve a crime. If you See something, hear something or know something, say something. Ultimately it means safer communities and that's our aim," added Mr Peter Price.
There are so many good reasons to provide a tip to Crime Stoppers:
- It can keep you, your family and your community safe.
- It can stop the offender from committing further crimes and prevent others from being harmed.
- It can stop behaviour before it escalates.
- Reporting a crime tip means a higher chance a crime gets solved, or property gets recovered.
- Information can often lead to solving multiple crimes by the same offender.
The Minister for Police and Counter-Terrorism, Yasmin Catley, has emphasised the vital role Crime Stoppers plays as a bridge between the community and the police.
"Public intelligence is one of the greatest assets the NSW Police Force has which is why information given to Crime Stoppers is so important
"Crime Stoppers reporting is quick and easy—and remember, we don't need to know who you are, just what you know.
"If you see something, hear something, or know something, speak up. Your tip could be the missing piece of a much larger puzzle, potentially helping to solve a crime and making New South Wales a safer place for everyone."
Crime Stoppers and NSW Police are fully aware of the crucial role tips to Crime Stoppers plays in preventing and solving crime.
Many investigations are supported – and sometimes even solved – through the assistance of information received from Crime Stoppers. Examples of these include:
- Strike Force Roslyn: In 2022, Zachary Davies-Scott was fatally shot during a home invasion in Heddon Greta. Multiple separate Crime Stoppers reports helped in corroborating evidence against one of the accused. Three men were ultimately charged and remain before the courts.
- Strike Force Zygon: In 2024, the bodies of Zhoujun 'Sally' Li and Jai-Bao 'Rex' Chen were located in Botany. A number of online reports made to Crime Stoppers greatly assisted investigators in understanding the circumstances around their deaths. While no one has been charged, police have identified two people offshore they believe to be responsible and are currently working with Commonwealth agencies and Taiwanese authorities.
- Strike Force Ajo: Public assistance was sought by way of Crime Stoppers tips to help locate and apprehend those responsible for a break and enter offences at Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum in August 2024 during which 27 firearms were stolen. As a result, police charged three people and recovered 20 of the stolen firearms.
- Strike Force Harthouse: Information was received at Crime Stoppers in relation to cannabis crops at a remote location. Several weeks later, multiple crime scene warrants were executed at various locations. Cannabis plants were located and seized from rural areas along with a large amount of cannabis leaf, and over $50,000 in cash and firearms. Multiple people were arrested and charged with their involvement. The estimate street value of the drugs seized by police was in excess of $5 million.
Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, Commander of State Crime Command's Homicide Squad, said tips from the community can sometimes be the missing piece needed to solve a complex case.
"We often rely on the eyes and ears of the community to help us piece together the puzzle of a crime. Crime Stoppers allows members of the community to share crucial information in confidence, which can be the key to solving a case," Det Supt Doherty said.
"Crime Stoppers helps bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community. By supporting Crime Stoppers, the community plays a direct role in making our streets safer. It's a partnership that benefits everyone."
Commander of the NSW Police State Crime Command's Drug & Firearms Squad, Detective Acting Superintendent Richard Puffett, said Crime Stoppers tips can often set crucial investigations in motion.
"When you 'dial in a dealer' or report suspicious firearm activity, you're helping police stop crime in its tracks," Det A/Supt Puffett said.
"Crime Stoppers isn't just a hotline; it's a lifeline for safer communities."
Crime Stoppers will be visiting around 10 locations across Sydney and regional NSW to talk to the community about reporting and how important it is in preventing and solving crime.
To assist the community, Crime Stoppers has compiled information to help the community with reporting what they know as well as crime prevention tips to keep themselves, their family and the community safe. The information can be downloaded HERE
