Are your neighbours wearing too much bling?

PEOPLE who live lavish lifestyles on the proceeds of crime are being targeted in a joint campaign by police, Crimestoppers and their partners across the county.

?Too much bling? ? give us a ring?, is a two-week advertising campaign being launched to coincide with National Tackling Drugs Week, and aims to encourage members of the public to report their suspicions about people who appear to be wealthy despite having no discernible legitimate income.

The campaign will also be featured at a number of events taking place across Oxfordshire in support of National Tackling Drugs Week.

Ch Supt Brendan O?Dowda, Commander for Oxfordshire, said: “We have launched this campaign during National Tackling Drugs Week, as a lot of criminal asset seizures are made in connection with drugs offences.
?Do you want to see drug dealers living a life of luxury as a result of them peddling their misery throughout our neighbourhoods and communities? I don?t, and together there is something we can do about it.
“It?s not just drug dealers we?re targeting; burglars, thieves, robbers and money launderers can all live off the proceeds of their crimes and they are well and truly on our radar. We want to encourage people to join us in our campaign, Too much bling – give us a ring! You can call Crimestoppers now and anonymously report those who are clearly living well beyond their means.”

PC Leigh Thompson, Drugs Coordinator for Oxfordshire, added: “The proceeds of the property seized from criminals are later sold and the money is deposited in a central government fund, a percentage of which will be returned to the Force. We will use the money to fight crime by funding the training of more financial investigators and, in future, putting the money toward community-based projects.
“Lots of people work extremely hard to be able to buy nice cars and belongings but there are a few people who will live off criminal gains, and this isn?t right or fair. We must work together to eradicate this, especially in the current economic climate.
“This is the perfect opportunity for the public to call in anonymously to Crimestoppers with any information about people who they genuinely suspect are living off the proceeds of crime.”

Crimestoppers is an independent charity which offers the public the ability to report what they know without having to identify themselves. Anyone can call 0800 555 111 at any time of day or night or give information online through a secure website: http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

For more information about the ?Too much bling? ? give us a ring? campaign, please visit: LINK
or Crimestopppers

Image courtesy of Inimagine.com

09/06/09