A CRIME fighting agency is celebrating its 13th birthday by expanding - and congratulating the public for helping it to become the most successful of its kind.

Since it was formally launched on September 4, 1989, the Tyne Tees Crimestoppers unit, based at Chester-le-Street, has become the best out of 29 such units nationwide, achieving one arrest for every eight calls.

It has now recruited extra staff and extended its opening hours, and to coincide with its anniversary, has changed its name to North East Crimestoppers.

Information supplied by members of the public anonymously over the telephone during the past 13 years has helped to solve almost 7,000 crimes, including ten murders and more than 200 robberies.

It has led to the recovery of almost £4m worth of property and the arrest of 3,000 people.

But although the service offers rewards of up to £5,000 for good quality information, most callers choose not to ask for them or accept them even when they are offered.

Acting Det Sgt Ken Parkin, who heads the unit, said: "Whatever the motives behind individual calls, money, it seems, is not one of them.

"Only five per cent of callers have asked for a cash rewards and we have paid out nearly £74,000 since 1989.

"A lot of times we say, 'Would you be interested in a cash reward?', and 80 to 90 per cent say no.

"I honestly believe that people of the North-East do want to help the police in the fight against crime."

As part of the expansion, the service, which currently operates from 8am to 6pm on weekdays, will operate for a further four hours, until 10pm.

It will also be staffed from 10am to 5pm on Saturdays.

Acting Det Sgt Parkin said: "The new opening hours make it even easier for people to ring in and talk to an experienced investigator."

Crimestoppers, which includes an interpreting service, can be contacted on 0800 555 111.