Phone hotline will target drug cheats in sports

First-time callers, ranging from athletes, coaches and support staff, or concerned family and friends, can pass on information 24 hours a day about the use, supply or trafficking of doping substances.

Calls to the UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) agency hotline – 0800 032 2332 – will be picked up by Crimestoppers operators who have been specially trained in the field. Their job is to try to "tease out" the appropriate information before it is double-checked and acted upon, Ukad chief executive Andy Parkinson said.

"As far as we are aware, this is the first time we will have a manned dedicated line where we can have people call about anti-doping," he said.

"If the caller wants to remain anonymous they can do so and this should encourage people to call."