'Hampshire's Most Wanted' Website Launched

17 February 2014, 09:25 | Updated: 17 February 2014, 09:27

Charity Crimestoppers is today launching a new 'Unknowns Gallery' of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight's 'most wanted'.

It can be found on its website www.crimestoppers-uk.org/unknownsuspects.

Most Wanted is the only UK-wide online forum where individuals wanted by the police and other law enforcement bodies such as the National Crime Agency, HMRC and the UK Border Force can be found and information passed on about them anonymously by the public.

With 66 suspects from Hampshire and Isle of Wight currently listed, and crimes ranging from theft to serial sexual assaults, Crimestoppers is encouraging the public to view the images and pass on the information that they know.

Since its launch in 2005, Most Wanted has featured over 10,000 appeals resulting in over 2,600 arrests. The online hub receives around 35,000 views every month from the public and it is hoped this figure will further increase with the launch of the new section. In 2013 alone, there were over 217 new appeals which led to 86 arrests of Most Wanted individuals in Hampshire and Isle of Wight. 27 other suspects were also identified.

The Unknowns Gallery will allow police and law enforcement users to upload images of individuals that they require names for (often taken from e-fits or CCTV stills). With the gallery searchable by both crime type and location, this should make it easier for the public to put names to these faces without having to reveal their own identity.

Detective Superintendent Jessica Wadsworth from Hampshire Police said:

"Most Wanted has been used very effectively in the Force area since its launch in 2005 which has led to a large number of suspects being arrested. Information from the public is always invaluable in the fight against crime and developing the 'Unknowns Gallery' really will help make a difference in our community".

Crimestoppers' Regional Manager for Hampshire and Isle of Wight, Julia Hughes, said:

"Most Wanted has proved to be a hugely beneficial service for law enforcement agencies and the UK public over the last nine years in helping locate wanted suspects and convicted criminals. The Unknowns Gallery will help to build on this platform with a view to improving arrest rates in all areas of crime and ultimately help to make Hampshire and Isle of Wight an even safer place to live".

Crimestoppers takes information on all crime anonymously via 0800 555 111 or through our anonymous online form found at www.crimestoppers-uk.org . Both routes are 100% anonymous - names are not taken, calls and IP addresses are not traced or recorded and people do not have to go to court.

Most Wanted, including the Unknowns Gallery, is fully optimised for all mobile devices so people can give information 'on-the-move'.