Charlie’s story: Fearless launches national knife crime campaign

Crimestoppers’ youth service Fearless has partnered with fellow-charity Charlie’s Promise to launch its biggest-ever awareness campaign, after research shows 85% of young people believe anonymous reporting could help save more lives.

At the heart of the campaign is the story of 17-year-old Charlie Cosser, who was tragically killed in a knife attack in July 2023. 

The campaign showcases our new specially-commissioned film where, through the voices of Charlie's parents, Martin and Tara, and alongside Charlie's closest friends, the devastating impact of knife crime is highlighted. 

Following Charlie's death, his parents established Charlie's Promise to educate young people about the consequences of knife crime and encourage positive choices. 

Tap or click here to find out more about our new campaign

As part of the campaign, Martin and Tara have become official Fearless Ambassadors, helping ensure more young people know that speaking up anonymously could help prevent another family experiencing the same loss, as well as being a safe and anonymous way to give information before violence escalates.

Martin Cosser, Charlie’s father and co-founder of Charlie’s Promise, said:

“Charlie’s death has left a hole in our family that can never be filled. No parent should have to experience the pain of losing their child to knife crime.

"After Charlie was killed, I made him a promise that I would do everything I could to stop another family going through the pain we have lived with. Being part of this campaign is one way of keeping that promise.

“There may be young people who know someone is carrying a knife but feel frightened, uncertain or worried about what will happen if they speak up.

"Those young people need to know there is a safe way to speak up if they have information about crime. Fearless gives them that choice anonymously, and that could help save lives."

“Even a small piece of information could prevent another young person from being hurt and another family from suffering the heartbreak we live with every day.

“Speak up. Be Fearless”

Preparing for this campaign, we at Crimestoppers and Fearless commissioned new national YouGov research revealing that:

• Just 31% of 16 to 25-year-olds say they would be very likely to share information with the police if they knew somebody was carrying a knife and believed it could lead to someone being seriously injured or killed.
• For adults, this rises to 45%.
• Young people across the UK are also less likely to recognise when their information could be important. 23% say uncertainty about whether their information is significant enough might stop them speaking to the police.
• 16% of young people say not knowing how to give their information could prevent them from sharing information.
• But anonymity could make a significant difference. While 31% of young people say they would be very likely to report information about knife crime directly to the police, this rises to 51% when they are offered an anonymous way to speak up – like giving information to Fearless and Crimestoppers.

Jack Frohlich, Fearless Manager, said:

"This research shows the issue is not that young people do not care about knife crime, but that too many do not feel safe enough to speak up.

"Fearless gives them a completely anonymous way to share what they know. That could unlock vital information, help prevent serious violence and save lives.

"Every young person should know there is a safe and anonymous way to speak up. If this campaign helps just one person share information, it could make a real difference."

 Tap or click here to find out more about our new campaign

26 August 2026