TO CELEBRATE its 30th anniversary and new brand, Crimestoppers Scotland has launched a series of ‘CommuniTea’ events – inviting people for a cuppa and a chat to find out about how they can speak up about crime anonymously.

Supported by Scotmid Co-operative, partners are equipping community groups from all over Scotland with tea hampers, filled with free food and refreshments to help Crimestoppers celebrate its birthday.

Communities are at the heart of Crimestoppers and it values all the support it receives in helping to make Scotland a safer place to live. In Scotland alone, 15,718 pieces of actionable information were received by Crimestoppers in the year 2017/18, a 17 per cent increase on the previous financial year.

With a network of volunteers spread right across the UK, the events will run from the summer until the autumn.

Minister for Community Safety, Ash Denham, said: “Scotland continues to be a safe place to live with recorded crime at its lowest level for 44 years. The Scottish Government’s vision is of a safe, just and resilient country where people can live their lives safe from harm.

“Crimestoppers provide a vital service and these ‘CommuniTea’ events are an excellent way to build support for the organisation and increase public awareness of how they can help make Scotland’s communities safer.

“Crimestoppers' contribution to reducing crime over the past 30 years has been invaluable and I would like to congratulate them on their anniversary.”

Jim McFedries, head of profit protection & security at Scotmid, said: “Scotmid are proud to support Crimestoppers Scotland and the brilliant ‘CommuniTea’ events. As a community convenience retailer, Scotmid stores are situated right at the heart of local areas across Scotland and our core purpose is to serve communities and to improve people’s everyday lives.

"So helping to ensure our stores and the surrounding areas are safe and welcoming is a key part of that, which fits perfectly with Crimestoppers Scotland’s ethos.”

If you are interested in holding a tea party event, please visit crimestoppers-uk.org/volunteer or call 020 8835 3700.