Too Much Bling..? Give Us a Ring!

2 May 2010, 08:13 | Updated: 2 May 2010, 08:16

Crimestoppers in Hampshire want you to shop people who're living extravagant lifestyles, paid for by the proceeds of crime.

They've launched a campaign designed to tap into the sense of injustice caused by criminals and benefit cheats who are living off the community that shelters them.

Simon Theobalds is the project manager for the charity in Hampshire:

“When people are struggling to cope in hard economic times, they are outraged by those who grow rich on the proceeds of crime.  If you know a burglar, benefit cheat, counterfeiter, drug dealer, fraudster, loan shark, pimp, shoplifter or trafficker who is living it up at your expense,  don’t let them get away with it.

“You can call us on 0800 555 111 at any time of the day or night –  or go to www.crimestoppers-uk.org and use the on-line reporting form which is encrypted to protect you.  We will not seek your details or capture your number.  The information you supply will be carefully sanitized to protect your identity and passed to the police. Our promise to you is that no one will ever know you phoned.”

Dectective Inspector Dave Brown who runs the Hampshire Police's Economic Crime Unit said:

"Its perfectly simple. If you have assets which don’t accord to your lifestyle we apply the test – Prove it or Lose it.”  

The police will get a third of the value of assets which have been seized back in their budget.