Crimestoppers create crime fighting programme for young people

Tags: Crimestoppers | youth services

A new service for young people has been set up to encourage them to report instances of crime.

Charity Crimestoppers has set up its Fearless scheme to give young people information about crimes that affect them and also urges them to report any crimes they are aware of. Any information passed on is completely anonymous.

A team of Crimestoppers staff will also run workshops and presentations about the service in schools and youth groups, explaining the reasons why reporting crimes is so important and why Fearless is a safe way of doing it.

Matt Wilk, the charity's head of youth at Crimestoppers said: "Young people are one of the most important audiences for Crimestoppers to communicate with, but they haven't always understood or been willing to interact with the charity.

"One of the key reasons for re-launching Crimestoppers for young people is to empower them to be fearless in passing on information about crime anonymously, safe in the knowledge that their identity will never be revealed and they will never have to speak to the police."

Barry Mizen, the father of murdered schoolboy Jimmy Mizen who is due to speak at today's event, said: "Young people can be worried about reporting crime to the police for fear of being found out, so it's great that there is another way for them to pass on information about crime anonymously so no one will ever find out who they are.

"As a parent, I would urge other parents and those who work with young people to let them know about Fearless in case they hold information about crime and need somewhere safe to pass it on."

The scheme was launched by Crimestoppers at Ministry of Sound and featured performances from young people and grime music artist Doctor.

Visit the Fearless website for more information.