valuable as a source of information about criminal activity in Bermuda. This information is especially valuable as Bermuda continues the fight against drugs.

Many people are still under the impression that Crime Stoppers is a Police programme. While its information is very valuable to the Police Service, it is in fact a charity operated by volunteers. Crime Stoppers provides the public with a strictly confidential means of supplying information which is helpful to the Police. Concerned citizens can have their say about crime in their neighbourhoods or crime in general without fear of reprisal. If they wish, they can also get paid for the information. However, and it tells us a great deal about Bermuda, the majority of those who take the trouble to call are not interested in being paid; they simply want to help.

In the two years since it was founded in September 1995, Crime Stoppers has received 454 anonymous calls. That is better than one in every two days which makes it well worth the trouble involved in its operation. Some are duplicate calls but some have been major tips providing very valuable information. The majority of this information has been about illicit drug activity.

It seems to us that Bermudians more than ever want their homes and the streets to be safe and they want the children to be free from drug pushers. There has to be understanding on the part of the public that the Police alone cannot do everything. Crime and drugs are and should be a matter of deep public concern.

Crime Stoppers is the prime example of how the public can help the Police and where individual members of the public can make their contribution to combatting crime.

Sometimes members of the public make the mistake of assuming that their information is not valuable enough to call in. Yet often tiny bits of information complete the puzzle of a Police investigation. Do not be afraid to call. Let the Police judge the value of your tip.

We urge the public to keep calling. Keep helping. Play your part. Make a difference for the sake of yourselves and for the sake of Bermuda.

As a public service this newspaper carries the Crime Stoppers free number, 1 800 623 8477, on the lower left hand side of the front page of every issue. We think it important that people should have ready access to the number.