Independent charity Crimestoppers launched a major campaign today to help tackle serious and organised crime in Merseyside.

The “Whose Side are you on?” drive centres around the issue that people have the choice of doing nothing or giving information they have about serious crime affecting their communities anonymously to Crimestoppers.

In 26 years, the charity has never revealed the identity of anyone who has given it information.

Roy Morris, chairman of Merseyside Crimestoppers, said: “We are proud to be able to say that Crimestoppers is making a real difference on Merseyside and we hope that this campaign and DVD will really make people contact us with information on crime.”

More than 50,000 homes across the county will receive leaflets in support of the campaign and a DVD has specially been commissioned, which will be available to view on YouTube.

Over the last five years, more than 17,500 people on Merseyside have contacted Crimestoppers; leading to over 1,600 arrests and significant disruption of criminal activity.

More than £6,500,000 worth of drugs has been seized and over £400,000 property recovered.

Crimestoppers operates the 0800 555 111 telephone number for people to pass on information anonymously, it also runs the website www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

A high-profile launch event is taking place in the city centre this morning supported by Liverpool FC legend David Fairclough, Everton hero Peter Reid and Radio City presenter Pete Price.