Knives shatter lives

We've launched a powerful new campaign in Northamptonshire to help tackle knife crime by urging young people, parents and residents to share what they know about those carrying or hiding knives, 100% anonymously.

As an independent charity, Crimestoppers and our youth service Fearless.org are leading this initiative, supported by Northamptonshire Police, which is part of ongoing work to prevent knife crime and make communities safer across the county.

The campaign is being publicised via advertising in cinemas and on Channel 4 streaming and YouTube, sessions in schools, Crimestoppers & Fearless social media and other local engagement.

Fearless has also partnered with fellow-charity Charlie’s Promise to showcases our new specially-commissioned film, which tells the story of 17-year-old Charlie Cosser, who was tragically killed in a knife attack in July 2023. Through the voices of Charlie's parents, Martin and Tara, and alongside Charlie's closest friends, the devastating impact of knife crime is highlighted. 

You can watch the film here:

Our Northamptonshire campaign encourages people to recognise the signs that someone may be carrying a weapon, such as: 

• Missing knives
• Unexplained injuries
• Changes in behaviour, or 
• Sudden access to cash or designer goods

and to speak up if they are worried.

Do you have information about someone carrying or hiding knives? You can tell us what you know any time of the day or night, any day of the year and remain anonymous – guaranteed.

Call free and speak to a specially trained member of staff at our UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111, or fill in our quick and easy online form, here on our website:

Give information anonymously

Crimestoppers and Fearless.org are completely independent of the police and guarantee anonymity to everyone who contacts us, meaning there’s no comeback. 

"Every knife carried has the potential to change lives forever. Too often, people carry knives believing they will protect them, when the reality is that the weapon is far more likely to escalate violence and place the carrier at even greater risk of becoming a victim themselves.

"Across Northamptonshire we have seen first-hand the devastating impact knife crime has on young people, families, schools and entire communities. Behind every statistic is a life changed forever.

"Through this campaign we want young people to understand the real consequences of carrying a knife, while giving parents, residents and communities the confidence to speak up if they are worried about someone carrying a weapon.

"Crimestoppers and Fearless exist to provide a safe, independent and completely anonymous way for people to share information. By working together, we can help prevent violence, protect vulnerable young people and save lives across Northamptonshire."

Lydia Patsalides, Crimestoppers East Midlands Regional Manager 

Knife bins & bleed kits

There are orange knife amnesty bins around the county where the public can dispose of any knives safely and anonymously – no questions asked. 

Life-changing and potentially devastating injuries can occur as a result of knife crime and other serious violence acts. Led by Off The Streets NN, a charity aiming to eradicate knife crime, bleed kits have been installed across the county to be used in the event of a major incident or injury in which someone has a serious bleed – potentially saving someone’s life.

Click or tap here to find out the locations of the knife amnesty bins and the bleed kits

What you should do if you find a knife

Northamptonshire Police advise anyone who finds a knife in the community to report it to 101. If the knife poses an immediate risk to the public, such as a zombie knife or machete, call 999. 

Old or unwanted household knives should be wrapped safely, for example in thick paper or bubble wrap, before being placed in household waste or taken to a recycling centre, or they can be taken to the Off The Streets knife amnesty bins which are located around the county (see above). 

Three things every parent can do