An independent crime charity has appointed a popular DJ as its volunteer chairman as new figures showed an increase in anonymous information being passed on to Thames Valley Police.
Crimestoppers, which receives reports of crime anonymously, named Aylesbury DJ Phillip Gomm as its replacement for John Gamon CBE who had spent five years in the role.
Mr Gomm said his first priority was to recruit more volunteers ahead of the charity’s 25th anniversary.
He said: “A charity would not work without volunteers. By January or February I want to have 25 volunteers for us in place to celebrate.”
Mr Gomm said he became involved with the charity four years ago after his property was subjected to several attempted robberies.
“That’s why I got into fighting crime because I was a victim of it,” he said.
“I have made my living from the Thames Valley people so it’s my way of giving something back.”
Mr Gomm’s appointment came as new figures showed crime information passed on to Thames Valley Police had increased by 8% over the last 12 months compared to the previous year.
The Chief Constable, Sara Thornton, said: “On behalf of my police force I want to personally thank John and his committee for their dedication to helping us detect and reduce local crime.
“Thames Valley Police recorded the second largest fall in crime out of all 43 forces across England and Wales, according to a recent office for national statistics report and a key element to that success is strong partnership work.”
