next month after almost six years at the helm of the crime-busting organisation.

The 74-year-old former principal of Robert Crawford School launched CrimeStoppers in 1994 with former Police Assistant Commissioner Wayne Perinchief.

The aim of the organisation was to allow people to pass on information about crime without going through the Police or identifying themselves.

There were teething problems at first and obtaining people's trust proved difficult, but nearly six years down the line, Mr. Warner said CrimeStoppers had gone from strength to strength.

Last year alone it received 160 calls from members of the public who gave information.

The Police hotline received considerably less than that.

And despite the fact that CrimeStoppers offers rewards to everyone who gives information leading to an arrest, only four percent of those who call actually want to be paid.

Mr. Warner said: "Most of our calls are drug-related. But in numerous murder inquiries, CrimeStoppers has assisted with information being passed on to detectives.

"But I think there are two areas the board of directors needs to work on now.

"One is building up community support and I think the other challenge is establishing a similar programme in the middle and high schools, so we get everyone involved in the fight against crime.

"We need to get young people on board.

"I have spoken to a few schools and at first they were apprehensive, but now they are coming on board.

"I have done some preliminary work, but I will leave the board to do the rest.'' Mr. Warner said one of the problems faced by CrimeStoppers every year was finding financial backing.

This year the main sponsors are XL Insurance Company, Argus Insurance Company and Centre Reinsurance Holdings.

He added: "I have very much enjoyed being involved in CrimeStoppers, but after six years it is time for somebody else to take over.

"I now hope that CrimeStoppers is going to make quite an impact on the community and that members of the public feel completely safe and comfortable in contacting the service. I believe it is the way ahead.'' McNeil Warner