Customs and Border Protection Media Release

Victoria leads the way in border protection - 4 March 2010

Joint media release with Crime Stoppers Victoria and the Victoria Police

In a first for border protection in Australia, Crime Stoppers Victoria, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and Victoria Police have signed a joint initiative, presenting a united front to detect criminal activity within Victoria and crossing our borders.

In 2009, Customs and Border Protection officers detected a large amount of anabolic steroids concealed on a man arriving at Melbourne International Airport. They had received information relating to a Victorian traveller via Crime Stoppers and Victoria Police. This was just one example of people in the community who have knowledge of illegal importing and exporting, who had the courage to do something about it.

Joann Corcoran, National Manager Intelligence, Customs and Border Protection, said ‘this arrest followed a number of others that have occurred in recent years, including four major drug arrests between June and August 2008’. Asked about resulting detections in 2010, she said ‘more recent examples are still under investigation or before the courts.’

The three organisations have signed a formal agreement for a one year pilot program to better enable information capturing, management and sharing capabilities between the agencies. If successful, the program may be recommended for national promotion after the trial period.

“We know that many people who are aware of illegal activity do not want to contact authorities directly for fear of reprisal or publicity” said Peter Sprott, Executive Director of Crime Stoppers Victoria.

“By formally linking Australian Customs and Border Protection with Crime Stoppers Victoria and Victoria Police, we are capitalising on an emerging trend. We have already had some good results through the Crime Stoppers Hot Line. We hope to get a lot more because of this pilot program”.

“People out there in the community who have knowledge of illegal imports, often including weapons, child pornography and other goods that threaten 2 the safety of our community, can now call the trusted Crime Stoppers Hot Line on 1800 333 000.” Mr. Sprott added.

“We don’t need to know the name of the caller. All calls are confidential. We just want information about individuals or groups of people who are involved in illegal importing and exporting.” said Mr. Sprott.

This month, Community Participation Program officers from Customs and Border Protection, Intelligence and Targeting Division, began educating Crime Stoppers telephone operators on the specifics of crimes such as wild life smuggling and trade or carriage of illegal substances, including illicit tobacco and cigarettes, child pornography and drugs. The training aims to increase the already proven capacity of Crime Stoppers to capture border related information reports.

Media Enquires:
Jo Baird, Victoria Police, Crime Stoppers Unit - Tel: 03 9865 2146
Communication and Media, Australian Customs and Border Protection Service - Tel: 02 6275 6793