NINETY one criminals have been arrested and charged in Essex over the past 12 months thanks to information from the charity Crimestoppers.

That figure is up from 39 in 2007/08, a staggering 133 per cent increase.

Over the past year, the charity has also passed on 1,384 actionable reports, where the information is useable, to help Essex Police with investigations.

This is up by 181 reports, or 14 per cent, compared to the previous year.

Assistant Chief Constable Derek Benson said: “Crimestoppers is an invaluable charity which offers a unique service to people who want to give information to the police, but do not want to be identified.

“We receive key information from Crimestoppers that can be used to prevent and solve crimes.”

Tim Scotchmer, chairman of the Essex branch of the Crimestoppers, added: “These figures show that Crimestoppers is working in Essex. Help us by giving your support to solve crime, safe in the knowledge that you will remain nameless. Simply give us what you know about crime, or criminals.”

Nationally, Crimestoppers has achieved a significant personal best in its 21-year history by helping the police solve a record number of murder cases across the UK in 2008/2009.

Figures show that 85 people were charged with murder in the UK because of information passed to Crimestoppers.

Anyone with information about a crime or criminal in Essex is urged to call Essex Police on 0300 3334444, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111, or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org