Frequently Asked Questions
YOUR ANONYMITY AND PRIVACY
No. We do not store any information about the people who contact us. Phone numbers are blocked from our operators’ screens, and we ensure that no identifying details – even if they are known – are ever passed on
to any other organisation.
If you want to remain anonymous, we do everything possible to remove any identifying information from your report. Our operators are trained to spot and remove details that could reveal who you are, for example, statements like ‘I live next door to this person’ combined with an address. Our commitment to anonymity is central to our integrity, and we take it very seriously. If you do choose to give your name, our operators will usually check that this was intentional and not accidental.
No. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of the information provided to us. What we can guarantee is that all identifying details about the caller or web reporter are removed, and that the report we pass on accurately reflects what was said or submitted. The relevant enforcement agency will then verify the information themselves. Our role is simply to ensure it reaches the right organisation, anonymously.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER YOU CONTACT CRIME STOPPERS
Because we guarantee anonymity, it’s usually not possible to update you on what happens after your information is passed on. In many cases, gathering full evidence can take time, and your report may be just one part of a much larger process.
It can take time for Police or other enforcement agencies to act on the information you provide. There are many reasons for this. Your report might form just one part of a larger investigation, or it may be kept on file to help solve a crime at a later stage. So even if you don’t see an immediate outcome, your information may still be valuable and useful to Crime Stoppers.
WHO WE ARE AND HOW WE OPERATE
Crime Stoppers is a not-for-profit charity that helps people across Aotearoa New Zealand share information about crime and suspicious behaviour, safely and anonymously. We are not the Police. We protect your identity and remove all personal details from your report before passing information to the appropriate agencies.
No. Crime Stoppers operates completely independently from Police, Customs, and Immigration. Our dedicated callcentre staff ensure anyone can provide information anonymously, without dealing with enforcement agencies directly. We remove all identifying information before forwarding your report – guaranteed.
Crime Stoppers supports people who want to share information anonymously but, for any reason, don’t feel able to report directly to enforcement agencies. We don’t investigate crimes or provide emergency assistance. If the situation is urgent, call Police on 111. For non-urgent matters, call Police on 105.
No. Official Police complaints must be made directly to the Police, especially for matters involving insurance or situations where a formal record is required. Information you share with Crime Stoppers can help Police start a new investigation or add to an existing one, but it is not treated as an official complaint. Because of this, it is unable to be used as evidence in court.
Crime Stoppers is funded through several sources. A portion comes from Police, Immigration, and Customs, support from commercial partners, such as One NZ, public donations as a registered charity, and revenue from a separate business that provides ‘Integrity Lines’ to organisations. None of our financial supporters have any role in our operational oversight. All funding is provided with the understanding that we operate independently and that our anonymous guarantee remains central to our work.