Anonymous knife crime reporting campaign starts

People are being urged to report concerns about knife crime as part of a new campaign that guarantees anonymity to anyone who gets in touch.

The Northampton initiative is led by independent charity Crimestoppers and its youth service Fearless.org and is being supported by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and Northamptonshire Police.

It will include social media posts, school sessions and community work to encourage people to recognise the signs that someone may be carrying a weapon - such as unexplained injuries, changes in behaviour or sudden access to cash or designer goods, and to speak up if they are worried.

Crimestoppers said it guaranteed 100% anonymity.

The charity said the campaign was "part of ongoing work to prevent knife crime and make communities safer across the county".

Information could be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously or via the Fearless.org website, which is designed specifically for young people," it said.

Lydia Patsalides, East Midlands regional manager at the charity, said it hoped Fearless.org would "empower young people to speak up safely and without fear if they're worried about someone carrying a knife".

She added: "Our charity has always kept its promise: we never ask for names, we can't trace calls or online contact, and you'll stay 100% anonymous."

Charlie Hastie, the council's Reform UK cabinet member for housing and communities, said: "Sharing concerns safely and without fear could prevent serious harm and even save a life, and we strongly encourage anyone who has information to make use of the anonymous reporting routes available."

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