Crime Stoppers Victoria recently set up a stand at the library in Lakes Entrance which was manned by a community engagement officer, Aiden Bloomfield.
Aiden was keen to spread the word about what Crime Stoppers is all about and encourage the public to understand that their reports are completely anonymous.
Another important area the community may not be aware of is the valuable role they play in solving wildlife crime, as Victorian authorities encourage people to come forward with any information that could help crack cold cases, including a dog attack on two eastern grey kangaroos in December 2023.
Crime Stoppers Victoria and the Conservation Regulator have launched the ‘Wildlife Crime: It’s Your Call’ campaign, to help the public recognise and report wildlife crime.
The longstanding relationship between the two agencies aims to empower the community to report information about suspected incidents and perpetrators of wildlife crime by raising public awareness and providing education on the nature and seriousness of native wildlife crime.
The partnership has also streamlined community reporting, with Crime Stoppers Victoria recording an 88 per cent increase in reports supplied to wildlife authorities in the past year.
Crime Stoppers Victoria chief executive, Stella Smith, said the volume of reports they are receiving shows Victorians care about protecting native wildlife.
“We know that people want to make a difference, and it is important that those who have information about these horrific wildlife crimes know they can report to Crime Stoppers,” Ms Smith said.
“If you see anything suspicious, your information, no matter how small, could help make a difference and find those responsible for committing wildlife crime.”
The Conservation Regulator is Victoria’s lead agency for investigating and prosecuting native wildlife crime.
The state’s chief conservation regulator Kate Gavens said that while many Victorians know what constitutes wildlife crime, they may not be sure who to report it to or what details will help authorities to investigate.
“Wildlife crime could be an act of cruelty, illegal hunting, or the unlawful keeping, buying, or selling of native animals, and information such as locations, dates, times, number plates, and physical descriptions of people and animals are crucial to finding and penalising those responsible,” Ms Gavens said.
Community information has helped the Conservation Regulator close several wildlife crime cases, including two separate incidents in 2021 involving the illegal destruction of a powerful owl near Dixons Creek and the death of six magpies near Mildura.
In 2022-23, the Conservation Regulator laid more than 145 charges relating to wildlife offences, including illegal possession and trade, harm, disturbance and cruelty.
“Community assistance is incredibly important in our investigations, and we want to thank those Victorians who are already reporting what they know and encourage more to look out for wildlife crime and come forward if they see anything suspicious,” Ms Gavens said.
“Protecting native wildlife is everyone’s responsibility, and it really is your call that could help solve a wildlife crime.”
Crime Stoppers Victoria was launched in 1987 and as many would remember, often using re-enactments of crimes to encourage people to come forward with information. In 2018, almost 31 years later, the organisation celebrated receiving one million reports.
Since then, community reporting has experienced tremendous growth, with a further 500,000 reports submitted in just over five years. This growth is testament to the community’s trust in Crime Stoppers and willingness to actively participate in crime prevention efforts.
IMAGE: Community Engagement Officer with Crime Stoppers, Aiden Bloomfield, had an information stand set up outside the library at Lakes Entrance last Tuesday.
