Leicestershire: People Zones encourage communities to give crime information anonymously

Our charity has launched a campaign in three new Leicestershire People Zones, to appeal for communities to unite in taking a stand against crime by speaking up anonymously.

People Zones is funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (OPCC). Part of this backing includes the People Zone Grant Fund to which Crimestoppers recently submitted a successful bid. This awarded our charity just over £9,000 to target key crime hotspots within the Bell Foundry area of Loughborough, New Parks in the West of Leicester and Thringstone & Whitwick within North-West Leicestershire. 
 
Crimestoppers, working with the OPCC, will promote its vital service in the People Zones. Our charity guarantees 100% anonymity when taking crime information, which can be done in over 140 different languages. For those who call our charity, if required, a translator can be on the other end of the line within a couple of minutes. 

The aim of People Zones is to build on strengths already in the neighbourhoods to create new connections and to empower everyone to play a role in keeping their local area safe. Part of that is enabling communities to take a stand against crime and anti-social behaviour, without the fear of reprisals from criminals.

“By working with residents and local organisations in People Zones, we aim to help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, to make neighbourhoods safer, giving people a sense of pride in their communities and improving quality of life. We believe it’s really important that the people of Leicestershire know they have a voice to be able to speak up about their concerns on crime in their community completely anonymously if they know something and prefer not to contact the police directly.

“Some people have information about crime but feel they don’t have anywhere or anyone to turn to. Please remember that the charity Crimestoppers and our Fearless service for young people are here to help. We do not judge or take any personal details from those who contact us. All we want is the information you have. You will remain 100% anonymous. Always.”
 
Lydia Patsalides, Crimestoppers East Midlands Regional Manager 

“It is so important that people report crime. It highlights where trouble spots are and provides information about criminals, which means the police can take action.   Local residents have more local information than anyone, they literally are the police’s eyes and ears on the street, but I understand that reporting crime anonymously can be more attractive to some.

“That’s why I’m so pleased to fund this campaign, which is part of my ongoing campaign to prevent crime. Crimestoppers is a trusted and well-known organisation. People know that if they want to report crime and remain anonymous, they can. I think this will increase reporting, which in turn will help the police to make more arrests. Which in turn means more criminals receive a punishment for their crimes. That’s what people want to see and that’s what I’m delivering.”
 
Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner, Rupert Matthews

 By calling our 0800 555 111 number at any time or by completing a secure online form on our website or via Fearless.org for young people, information on crime in Leicester can be given at any time of the day.

Fearless also offers young people non-judgemental advice so that informed decisions about lifestyle choices can be made.