CRIMESTOPPERS, the telephone line for reporting crime, is continuing to go from strength to strength in Gloucestershire.

The figures for 2004 show 81 arrests and a total of 1194 actionable calls were made, 33 percent of which was connected to drug related crime.

Officials from Gloucestershire Crimestoppers said that this was a strong indication that the public will not tolerate the evil trade and the effect it has on communities.

The figures are set against a background of a 14 percent fall in crime figures in the county for the period.

Darren Stevens, a board member of Gloucestershire Crimestoppers, said: "The support we have had from businesses and organisations, particularly the media in 2004 has been invaluable.

"However, we must not overlook the fact that 1194 members of the public took the time to call the Crimestoppers number and pass information on crime, which they might not have given otherwise.

"These people deserve thanks as they are a silent army joining the police in the fight against crime in Gloucestershire.

"Of course, the unique anonymity that Crimestoppers offers means that we don't know the identity of the people who have rung us and played such an important part in the figures."

Arrests were made in many crime categories including robbery, criminal damage, arson, theft and banking fraud and 25 people were arrested for drink driving or driving whilst disqualified.

Since the scheme was introduced into the county in 1995 it has received over 8,700 actionable calls, made 720 arrests and recovered over £517,000 worth of goods and drugs.