Wiltshire: New campaign launched to highlight the truth about carrying a knife

Wiltshire’s young people are the target of a new campaign to highlight the truth about knife carrying and to encourage reporting of crime 100% anonymously.

Crimestoppers' youth service, Fearless, has launched the campaign, to highlight facts about knife crime, one very important such fact being that, far from helping to keep you safe, carrying a knife actually increases your chances of being hurt. It can also lead to five years in prison, even if it isn’t used. 

Do you have information about someone carrying and/or using a knife? You can tell us what you know, 24/7, 365 days a year, and remain 100% anonymous - the only person who will know you got in touch with us is you. Call 0800 555 111 or fill in our easy online form, here on our website:

Give information anonymously

Knife crime is often linked to drug dealing or street gangs. Criminals target young people, forcing them to hide weapons or carry out violence to “prove” themselves. A young person may feel trapped into doing it, scared of retaliation if they don’t comply. 

If you’re worried that someone you care about might be in danger, or you’ve seen suspicious activity, there are three things that you can do:

Spot the signs

• Drug dealing taking place nearby
• A change in a young person’s behaviour - they may have become aggressive, anxious or secretive, or started going missing; they may have unexplained money, designer clothes or tech; they might have injuries they can’t explain, or be in possession of strange keys. 

Find out more 

Talk to your children

Start a conversation about the dangers of carrying knives, the law and some of the myths they may believe about carrying a knife. Make it clear how important it is to tell someone if they’re worried about themselves or others. 

Find out more

Speak up to Crimestoppers

If you’re worried about someone or you’ve seen suspicious activity, you can tell Crimestoppers anonymously. Tell us about who is dealing drugs; people involved in gangs; those asking young people to do things in return for gifts; people carrying weapons; young people repeatedly going missing; phone numbers, cars, locations and weapons used for crime.

Give information anonymously 

“Asking young people to speak up about crime anonymously and without fear of retribution is at the heart of Fearless. 

"For this campaign, we particularly want to reach out to young people to address myths around knife carrying which they often hold, as well as encourage them to report people they’re worried about who are carrying knives."


Beth Simpson,
Wiltshire Regional Manager

5 March 2025