Crime Stoppers break Qld arrest record

Before Queensland police even knew Bradley Lester was dead, a witness was already calling Crime Stoppers to report the 21-year-old's murder.

It allowed officers in Townsville in April last year to quickly track down his roommate, Mark Anthony Smith, 31, and charge him with murder.

In fact, it was one of four Queensland murders the public helped solve last year by calling the crime hotline.

Crime Stoppers Queensland CEO Trevor O'Hara said a record 2439 arrests were made and 6212 charges laid in the state last year, with the crime hotline fielding 45,373 calls and 8156 online reports.

Mr O'Hara said 2014 has replaced the previous year as the single best year of arrests resulting from Crime Stoppers reports - up almost 10 per cent on 2013.

He says while he can't provide detailed information about specific incidents, the Townsville murder was a prime example of where a call to Crime Stoppers helped launch a criminal investigation.

"The police weren't aware, the community wasn't aware, that a murder had occurred in Townsville," Mr O'Hara said.

"But our information provider who contacted us was aware."

Mr O'Hara said often the situation worked in reverse, where a caller would give police one vital clue they needed to finish off an investigation.

Deputy Commissioner Ross Barnett said Crime Stoppers also helped police gather information on bikies during the crackdown.

"It's evident from the 800 criminal motorcycle gang-related calls received that the public sees Crime Stoppers as a safe avenue to anonymously pass on information to police," he said.

CRIME STOPPERS CHARGES IN 2014

- four murders

- 11 assault occasioning bodily harm

- 49 drug trafficking

- 1955 possessing dangerous drugs

- 222 Weapons Act offences

- 110 fraud offences