A new campaign is urging young people in Birmingham and the West Midlands to report those carrying knives anonymously through the charity Crimestoppers' youth service Fearless, after research revealed that only one in five people in the region are confident they would report knife carriers to the police.
The YouGov research, commissioned by Crimestoppers, found that people in the West Midlands are more than twice as confident that young people locally would share information with an anonymous service (46%) compared with reporting directly to police. However, awareness of the anonymous route remains low, with only 37% of people in the region aware that Crimestoppers' reporting service is completely anonymous, and just 36% realising it is independent of the police.
Fear of retaliation and mistrust are key barriers
Fear of retaliation is a significant barrier to reporting knife crime to police. The research found that almost half (46%) of West Midlands residents cite fear of retaliation as a reason they might not report crime to police. Nationally, only 31% of UK 16 to 25-year-olds say they would be very likely to report information about knife crime directly to police, compared with 45% of adults.
Among 16 to 25-year-olds, 41% say fear of retaliation could stop them sharing information about knife crime with police, while 28% cite lack of trust in the police. The findings challenge the perception that young people are unwilling to help tackle knife crime, suggesting instead that fear, mistrust, and uncertainty are preventing many from speaking up, even when they may have information that could help prevent serious violence.
Anonymous and independent reporting through Fearless
Fearless.org provides a safe and completely anonymous way to pass on information about crime and is independent of the police. The service never asks for a name or any details that could identify the person making the report. It is hoped that if more young people are aware of this route, lives could be saved.
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.
One piece of information can make all the difference
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.
