More than 1,000 calls to the Crimestoppers hotline resulted in the arrest of 305 criminals in the West Mercia police area.

In the first 10 months of this year, information from 1,148 callers - more than the number of calls received in the whole of 2004 - was passed from Crimestoppers to the police and led to the 305 offenders being brought before the courts.

The organisation allows callers who may fear possible reprisals for providing information about offences and offenders to remain anonymous. Calls are not recorded or traced.

Crimestoppers co-ordinator Steve Hill said: "Criminals rely on the fact that many people will not report them as they do not want to get involved.

"We do not ask any questions to identify the caller. It is the criminals names and details we want, not yours. The call remains completely anonymous.

"People call Crimestoppers for a variety of reasons. It may be because it involves family, friends or neighbours. Or because they don't want to speak to police or go to court. They may be living in fear of retribution or they simply don't want to get involved.

"People trust the anonymity of Crimestoppers and calls to us have resulted in these arrests. If people didn't bother to call, then their fears increase and criminals get away with it."

One in four calls to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 leads to an arrest and charge.

Property worth almost £54,000 was recovered this year by callers throughout the region, and since Crimestoppers begain in 1994, property worth £1.5m has been recovered.

Callers whose information results in an arrest and charge may receive a cash reward, which is paid in a way that the caller remains totally anonymous.