Help tackle crime & exploitation in County Durham & Darlington

Criminals use violence, exploitation and intimidation to control people, and profit from the sale of drugs and other illegal activities.

We've launched a campaign across County Durham and Darlington seeking information about crime and exploitation - information which can be given to us 100% anonymously.

As a UK-wide charity independent of the police, Crimestoppers is asking people to help end the violence, loss of life, suffering and fear that unchallenged criminals bring to communities by speaking up when they have valuable information about violent crimes and the criminals behind it.

You will always remain 100% anonymous – guaranteed.

Tell us what you know, 100% anonymously - call free on 0800 555 111 or fill in our online form, here on our website:

Give information anonymously

Ultimately, we want to let people know that by speaking up, 100% anonymously, you can help stop violent crime – such as:

Criminal exploitation 

Criminals deliberately target vulnerable adults and young people. They befriend them and then threaten them into dealing drugs, hiding weapons, laundering money or carrying out violent attacks.

It’s purely for profit and they don’t care what the consequences are.

Spot the signs that a person may be being exploited:

• Changes in behaviour
• Frequently missing from home, care or education
• Unexplained money, gifts or new possessions
• Unexplained injuries
• Carrying weapons
• Getting involved in fights
• Committing crimes, such as shoplifting

Criminal exploitation also includes human trafficking, often leading to modern slavery. 

Firearms

You can tell us about:

• Illegally imported guns
• Converted blank firing guns, which pose a real threat to life, are being reactivated or converted so that they can fire live rounds
• 3D printed weapons and parts
• All contributing to the increasing casualties and fatalities among both criminals and bystanders, happening in both our towns and our countryside because of criminals using firearms, often indiscriminately.

Knife crime

• The continuing increase in the number of people carrying knives, which leads to a tragic toll of serious injuries and death - with a permanent effect on victims, their families and their friends. 
• Especially amongst young people, there is a feeling that carrying a knife leads to increased safety and security, when in fact it can lead to a greater likelihood of being injured or killed by a knife. 

Members of the community really can make a difference and help stop the impact of fear and violence on everyone in the community – and this is why our completely anonymous reporting service is so valuable.

By passing on what you know (however small or insignificant you may think your information is), the authorities can build a bigger picture of the crime and criminals involved. 

Your information really could help prevent genuine harm and injury. 

We want to know:

• Who is exploiting young people & adults
• Who is supplying and selling guns?
• How and by who are these guns being transported?
• Where a weapon has been hidden or stored?
• Anyone in your area that carries a knife or gun?
• Do you know anything about planned violent attacks?

We recognise that you may be close to crime but may also want to do the right thing and bring violence in your community to an end. Your information can help bring justice to victims of violent crime and help prevent future incidents.  

Complete peace of mind

Your computer's IP addresses are never traced and no-one will ever know you contacted us. For telephone calls, we have no caller line display, no 1471 facility and have never traced a call.
 
Give information 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online here:

Give information anonymously

Multiple languages

If English isn't your first language, we take telephone calls in over 140 different languages, and our online reporting form is also available in all those languages. Simply go to the language option at the top of this page for these languages.

Have you been affected by crime?

Victim Support can give you the help you need to move forward.
 
Their services are free, confidential and available to anyone in England and Wales, regardless of whether the crime has been reported or how long ago it happened.

Call their free Supportline on 08 08 16 89 111.

8 October 2025