A cash-for-tips scheme is paying off -- and making a dent on Bermuda's drugs scourge, it was claimed yesterday.

Some 70 percent of calls to Crime Stoppers Bermuda related to drugs, said founding director David Carruthers.

And ten percent concerned murders and/or firearms, he told Hamilton Rotary Club.

"The early success is very gratifying but it is critical that we continue to generate public interest and awareness.'' Mr. Carruthers said Crime Stoppers was a confidential Police information gathering system, created to help detect crime and arrest offenders.

Anyone with information on criminals or crime can ring a toll-free telephone number, 1-800-623-8477 or 1-800-623-TIPS.

Since its launch in September 1995, the scheme had received more than 290 calls, said Mr. Carruthers.

And rewards totalling almost $10,000 -- ranging from $50 to $1,000 -- had been paid out.

"Payment is made as simply as possible without compromising the identity of the tipster.

"In the USA payments are collected from such people and places as bank officers, insurance companies and dry cleaning stores. Any publicly used facility will do.

"Of course if the caller wants to arrange a drop-off that too will be accommodated. This last has become, I understand, the usual method of reward distribution for Crime Stoppers Bermuda.'' Mr. Carruthers explained how rewards were paid.

They were determined by a sub-committee of The Civilian Board using a points system ranging from ten for a serious crime, such as murder, down to one for lesser offences like criminal property damage or joy riding.

Further points were awarded for such factors as: number of persons arrested; number of crimes solved; property value recovered; weapons recovered; and exceptional drug seizures.

Mr. Carruthers said Crime Stoppers had set up an operations room capable of receiving calls 24 hours a day, manned by specially appointed Police liaison officers.

Two things were guaranteed: Calls could not be traced and callers would not be asked their names.

"Each call is logged and a code number is assigned to the caller. Once the caller's information has been collected it is then passed on to the Police officer responsible for the case in question for appropriate action.

"The callers are invited to call back a day or so later and to identify themselves with the code number.

"When, or rather if, they call back the results of their tips are made known to them and the question of a reward is discussed if appropriate and if desired.'' Mr. Carruthers said about 75 percent of callers were not interested in a reward.

"They are primarily interested in seeing justice done.'' Mr. Carruthers said callers to Crime Stoppers included casual observers who either did not want to get involved with the Police or were afraid of retaliation.

They also could include persons on the fringe of crime: neighbours, business associates and friends with a conscience.

"Such is the demand that we have had to install a second answer phone to ensure that no calls are missed.'' Mr. Carruthers said Crime Stoppers were keen to attract public attention.

"We intend to have our telephone number displayed in all public buildings and it should soon be found prominently displayed on every public telephone.'' The scheme's latest initiative was the creation of a Crime Stoppers mascot -- Stompy.

"Created by artist Calvin McNorton he has large eyes and ears to see and hear everything that is going on around him.

"He has a big mouth to speak what he sees and hears and large feet to stomp out crime.''