Youth service Fearless boosts efforts to keep Surrey safe

Crimestoppers is expanding its youth service Fearless as we employ, for the first time, a dedicated Fearless Outreach Worker for Surrey.

Fearless is our youth service and through the website Fearless.org offers young people non-judgemental advice so they can make informed decisions about reporting crime. The service also engages with and educates young people about the consequences of their choices around crime.

The Fearless website allows young people to give information about crime 100% anonymously using a secure online form. This message is reinforced through campaigns that encourage safe and anonymous reporting of issues such as knife and drug crime and those involved with County Lines - including speaking up about those who regularly carry weapons.

Last year, a survey conducted by the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner and Surrey Youth Focus found that nearly 1 in 5 (18.4%) young people in the county were most concerned about violent crime.

The new role is funded by the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner, David Munro, as part of his focus to support younger people.

Emily Drew, Fearless Outreach worker, said: “Young people often have negative perceptions of authorities, such as the police, and therefore aren’t very forthcoming when it comes to speaking about crime. 

“Fearless is shaped around supporting them to make a positive change in their perceptions, confidence, attitudes and actions. Ultimately, we want to help them make informed decisions about reporting crime and steer them away from trouble. That way they’ll reach their full potential.”

David Munro, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner, added: “Fearless provides an important and trusted service that has a real part to play in not only education but also in giving young people an avenue to turn to.

“Policing across the country is currently tackling issues around County Lines and we are not immune here in Surrey. I hope this role will help young people resist being drawn into such activity and give them a voice in their community to make where they live or go to school safer places to be.”

Ian Chandler, Chair of Crimestoppers in Surrey, said: “A recent report commissioned by Victim Support shows that less than a fifth of children and young people who experience theft or violent crime go on to report this to the police. These are worrying stats for some of the most vulnerable people in our community and we hope that by getting our Fearless message out to more young people than ever, we can help keep them safe.”