Молодые люди Бирмингема могут спасти жизни, сообщая о ношении ножей анонимно

Young people in Birmingham 'can save lives' by reporting those carrying knives anonymously - and not to police A new campaign is highlighting is an anonymous route to report the information which could stop tragedies unfolding on the streets New research has raised concerns that vital information about knife crime could be going unreported in Birmingham and the West Midlands. Young people in the region are being encouraged to report those carrying knives anonymously after research found only one in five people in the region are confident they would report them to police. The research from YouGov, commissioned by charity Crimestoppers, also found people in the West Midlands are more than twice as confident young people locally would share that information with an anonymous service (46%). But not many young people know they can report the information completely anonymously and independent of the police to Crimestoppers youth service Fearless. Read more 'Prolonged shift' in West Midlands crime as knife and gun offences plunge It provides a safe and completely anonymous way to pass on information about crime and is independent of the police. Fearless.org never asks for a name or any details that could identify the person making the report. It is hoped if more are aware, lives could be saved. 'Fear of retaliation stopping people reporting to police' Fear of retaliation also remains a significant barrier to people reporting those carrying knives to the police. Almost half (46%) of people in the West Midlands cite fear of retaliation if they report crime as a reason they might not report information about crime to the police, among a range of options. Nationally, just 31% of UK 16 to 25-year-olds say they would be very likely to report information about knife crime directly to the police, compared with 45% of adults. The findings challenge the perception that young people are unwilling to help tackle knife crime. Read more Refugee pulled knife on stranger outside Birmingham supermarket before running into mosque Instead, they suggest fear, mistrust and uncertainty are preventing many from speaking up, even when they may have information that could help prevent serious violence. 41% of 16-25s say fear of retaliation is a barrier that could stop them sharing information about knife crime with the police, while 28% say lack of trust in the police could stop them. The research also found that only 37% of people in the West Midlands are aware that Crimestoppers reporting service is completely anonymous, and only 36% realise they are independent from the police. 'One piece of information can make all the difference' The campaign features the tragic story of Charlie Cosser, who was murdered in 2023 aged just 17 after being stabbed while trying to protect a friend at a party in Warnham, West Sussex, in July 2023. Charlie’s father, Martin Cosser, is now working with Fearless to encourage young people to understand that anonymously sharing information about knife crime could help prevent future tragedies and save lives. Martin, co-founder of the Charlie’s Promise charity, said: "No family should have to experience the heartbreak ours has endured. "We know fear can stop people speaking up, but one piece of information can make all the difference. "I hope this campaign helps young people understand they can share what they know anonymously and potentially save someone’s life." Anyone with information about knife crime or other serious criminal activity can contact Fearless anonymously by visiting Fearless.org.