North Wales knife crime campaign

We are running a new campaign in North Wales to help deter people from carrying knives.

The rise of knife crime is a national issue and reports of people carrying knives in public increases fear and worry in communities. North Wales is one of the safest parts of the UK, but unfortunately knife crime incidents have risen in the area, though the numbers remain low compared to other areas of Wales and the UK.
 
We are responding to local concerns by campaigning to ‘Cut the chance of being hurt by knife crime’ to help deter individuals from carrying knives and also to take information about those who choose to regularly carry weapons.

The campaign aims to build trust in communities throughout North Wales and emphasise that, as an independent charity, we are a safe method of passing on information about crime. We ask people who know someone who regularly carries a knife to tell us by either our online form or by calling 0800 555 111. Everyone who contacts us stays 100% anonymous.
 
An Advan will be touring areas where there have been recent incidents. Additionally, there will be messages across social media as we reach out to young people to promote our Fearless.org youth service, which encourages teenagers to speak up about their concerns.

“Some young people may feel that if others are carrying knives, they should be doing the same for protection. However, more knives on the streets only leads to one outcome – more people getting hurt.

“Fortunately, according to the Home Office, 99% of young people in England and Wales choose to live knife free. We’re asking people to speak up safely about the small minority who carry knives and weapons illegally. By choosing to call us or contact us online, we guarantee that you will remain 100% anonymous - always.”

"The number of offences where the use of a knife to commit a crime as well as just carrying a knife as an offensive weapon has gone up across England and Wales. Much of this violence is gang related around Class A drugs supply and the exploitation of young people who are often dragged into County Lines. We are co-operating with colleagues to address this issue and welcome this campaign by the charity Crimestoppers.

“To put the knife crime in North Wales into some context, the number of homicides in North Wales have halved over the last two years. Whatever the headlines in the national press say, North Wales remains one of the safest places to live and visit and our whole focus remains on keeping our communities safe." 

“Knife crime is devastating. If you, your partner, son or daughter carry a knife, they are at risk - at risk of going to prison, at risk of being killed or seriously injured and at risk of having to live with the aftermath of someone's death. Although statistically North Wales remains one of the safest places in the country to live, we fully support this campaign and hope it will drive home the message that carrying a knife can have terrible consequences.”

If you have any information on crime in North Wales then contact us 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through the non-traceable Anonymous Online Form.