The director of an anonymous phone tip service has confirmed a report which appeared in the freesheet Spits about a woman who phoned in a tip about a fatal stabbing in Rotterdam during the summer and was subsequently identified in the case file.

Guus Wesselink of Meld Misdaad Anoniem (Report Crime Anonymously) said: "This is a terrible mistake. We have spoken to the woman. She is extremely emotional and fears for her life. Moreover, she happens to be pregnant."
 

According to the newspaper report, her phone was being tapped at the time she made the call since the police regarded her as an important witness. The phone call and her details were then included in the case file. This file is available to the defence lawyers, which means the suspects would know that she tipped off the police.
 

Mr Wesselink commented: "This contravenes the agreements that were made when the tip number was set up. Caller details must never be used, unless a life depends on it." He intends to discuss the matter with the police authorities as soon as possible.