Only three weeks after the Queensland Police Service Railway Squad, Queensland Rail and Crime Stoppers joined forces to help solve crime in and around the South East Queensland corner a number of results have already been seen.
The project involves displaying ‘appeal for assistance’ bulletins on Queensland Rail Passenger Information Display Systems (PIDS) located at railway stations on the Queensland Rail City Network.
This project has given police an opportunity to appeal to the potential audience of 170,000 passengers a day who use the rail network across five policing regions.
According to Senior Sergeant Steve Vick of the QPS Railway Squad the project has been a success with four of the five images shown in the first week being identified.
“Since the commencement of the project we have used the PIDS to display 25 images over a three week period urging anyone who knows the people to contact our community partners Crime Stoppers,” he said.
“As a result of information received in the first week, police from North Brisbane District CIB issued a notice to appear in court to a man for a serious offence which occurred in Boondall in 2009,” he said.
“A second man handed himself in after seeing his image displayed on the PIDS and is being dealt with by Oxley District CIB,” said Senior Sergeant Vick.
Following the launch of the project police have received significant information that is assisting investigating police to identify people who have information that can solve crimes.
The bulletins can be displayed across all PIDS or targeted at individual railway lines depending on the investigative need.
“They are designed to appeal for information from the network users if they recognise the person displayed they are urged to contact Crime Stoppers,” Senior Sergeant Vick said.
Crime Stoppers Chief Executive Officer Mr Trevor O’Hara said “Crime Stoppers provides the valuable free call hotline of 1800 333 000 and website at www.crimestoppers.com.au through which members of the community could anonymously share information about offenders and help to create safer Queensland
“Crime Stoppers Queensland is very pleased to be working in partnership with the QPS and Queensland Rail in this unique opportunity to help solve crime, identify offenders and make the Queensland Rail City Network safer for all,” said Mr O’Hara.
Queensland Rail Chief Customer Officer Theo Taifalos said the result was great news and encouraged all customers to continue to support Queensland Police and Crime Stoppers.
“This initiative is about improving the safety and security of the rail network, and we have seen instant results.
“The smallest piece of information can often be the missing link police are looking for, so I’m encouraging all our customers to continue their support of this project.”
Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
Crime Stoppers is a charitable community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland
