CRIME-FIGHTING charity Crimestoppers has launched an urgent appeal for information on people across the West Midlands known to be carrying weapons.
Last November, Crimestoppers ran its first-ever Silence Won’t Stop Violence campaign which saw the public respond positively and anonymously.
Information on gangs rose by nearly a fifth, County Lines was up by 15 per cent, cuckooing up by two-thirds and information on firearms rose by five per cent compared to the period prior to the appeal.
While official statistics reveal knife crime has now fallen in the past year, Crimestoppers say no one should become complacent.
Last year 275 people lost their life to a knife or sharp instrument in England and Wales and 4,620 people were admitted to hospitals in England for attacks by sharp objects.
In 2019, over half of violent incidents across the UK were not reported to the police. Crimestoppers believes that Silence Won’t Stop Violence is informing the people in the West Midlands that everyone has the means and a voice to anonymously speak up to help stop or solve violent crime.
Last year the charity passed on over 18,300 anonymous pieces of information about all crime types given to us from people across the West Midlands region.
The pandemic has also put young people in a vulnerable position, due to a lack of employment opportunities. In 2020, referrals of children suspected to be victims of by County Lines gangs increased by nearly a third.
Crimestoppers say young people are at a greater risk of being exploited by these gangs due to false promises of easy money.
Mick Duthie, director of operations at Crimestoppers, said: “With violence and gang crime being a persistent, but preventable problem, our charity is relaunching our campaign and supporting a public health approach to tackling violence. This means recognising it requiring a society-wide response, so we are encouraging people in the West Midlands – who are in the know about those carrying weapons or involved in violent crime – to not be silenced, but to speak up anonymously.
“We know that you may be personally close to crime but may also want to do the right thing and bring violence in your community to an end. No matter how far down the wrong road you’ve gone – you can always turn back. You do have options. You have the ability to prevent violent crime through telling us what you know in advance of planned violent attacks, or passing on information that can help solve crime and bring justice to victims and their families.
“Our aim is to drive people to report what they know about violent crime incidents or planned attacks using our unique anonymous reporting service, via Crimestoppers-uk.org, by calling freephone 0800 555 111, or for young people to use Fearless.org. Together, we can help reduce the harm caused to young lives and communities across the country.”
To report crime 100 per cent anonymously, visit the charity’s website Crimestoppers-uk.org and fill in a simple and secure anonymous online form or call their 24/7 UK Contact Centre on freephone 0800 555 111, 365 days of the year.
In an emergency, always call 999.
