Crimestoppers
Fearless - our youth service
Who we are
Crimestoppers: Speak up. Stay safe.
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We’re an independent charity that gives you the power to speak up to stop crime, 100% anonymously.
Whoever you are, wherever you live, from communities to companies.
By phone and online, 24/7, 365 days a year.
We also share advice on how to protect the people you care about from crime, so everyone can feel safe.
After receiving your call or a completed anonymous online form, we create a report that brings together all the information you gave us, making sure it doesn't contain any information that could identify you.
Your report is sent to the relevant authority with the legal responsibility to investigate crimes, make arrests and charge people in order to bring them to justice. This could be your local police force or an agency such as the UK Border Agency or HM Revenue & Customs.
There may be times when information received by Crimestoppers is passed on to our trusted partner organisations. Crimestoppers will only share this information to help keep communities and workplaces safe.
Find out more with what we do with your information here.
Research
Our research confirms that nearly a fifth of the public have known about a crime, but chose not to talk to the police (according to insights drawn from various research projects commissioned by Crimestoppers).
Some of the reasons for people not speaking out include:
- I do not want to talk to the police
- I need to report someone I know
- I am worried that others will know if I speak out
- I am not sure if what I know will help
- I do not want to get involved with courts
Impact and influence
Hundreds of thousands of people contact us every year. Below is a sample of the impact their information – given 100% anonymously – has in making us safer.
Child Sexual Exploitation
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a crime that many people are now more alert to thanks to greater publicity and education.
A piece of information we received about a man engaging in sexual activity with a minor led to a multi-agency strategy with the authorities now taking a lead through the statutory child protection process.
Manslaughter
Too often we hear about hit-and-run incidents on our roads resulting in tragic loss of life.
Thanks to a piece of vital information we gave to police about the involvement of two people in a fatal road traffic accident, an arrest was made of those concerned and one of them was charged with manslaughter.
Possession of weapons
Knife crime has been highlighted as a particular distressing issue due to the harm it causes and the prevalence amongst young people.
We received a call about an incident where two schoolboys were carrying knives for protection. Both boys, who were aged 14, were visited by the police and spoken to in front of their parents. This approach could go some way to discourage young people from believing the myth that carrying a knife will help to keep them safe.
Domestic violence
Domestic violence happens all too often behind closed doors and gaining information that can help tackle the problem can be a real challenge.
We received information about a man who was regularly assaulting his girlfriend. Officers visited the address and, after further enquiries, a man was arrested and charged with assault.
Prisons
Our work in prisons continues to be vital in a bid to reduce violence and crime happening in jails.
A prime example was when we received details of a planned prison break by a dangerous criminal. The information was taken as credible and significant measures were taken to prevent an escape.
Robbery with violence
During a robbery, a victim was left unconscious after being assaulted. They were left with a fractured cheekbone, broken nose and extensive bruising.
Later, Crimestoppers received information naming the individual in connection with the crime, and whilst police are still hunting for his whereabouts, our information gave officers a vital lead.
Fugitives
Following the launch of the tenth anniversary of Operation Captura - our multi-agency campaign alongside the National Crime Agency in Spain - information was received within hours on the whereabouts of suspected paedophile Matthew Sammon.
Sammon’s former employer waived his anonymity on Sky News to reveal that it was he who contacted us.
Fundraise
Our supporters do amazing things to raise money for our cause. Whether you want to host a tea, take a challenge or organise your own event, every pound you raise will help us make a difference.
Donate to us
Join our fight against crime by donating to us today, and see how the money you give can help shape your community for the better.
Be a force for good & volunteer
Every year we stop thousands of crimes. Let’s help make communities safer together. Join us and start volunteering with your local Crimestoppers team today.
