Fear of retaliation stopping young people speaking up about knife crime, research suggests

The YouGov study, commissioned by charity Crimestoppers, found just 17 percent of respondents believed young people locally would share information directly with police.

However, 40 percent were confident they would speak to an anonymous reporting service.

The findings cover the East Midlands, including Northamptonshire, and have prompted concerns that information which could help prevent serious violence is going unreported.

Fear of retaliation was identified as a significant barrier, with 42 percent of East Midlands respondents saying it was among the reasons they might withhold information from police.

Nationally, 31 percent of 16 to 25-year-olds said they would be very likely to report information about knife crime directly to police, compared with 45 percent of adults.

Among young respondents, 41 percent cited fear of retaliation as a possible barrier, while 28 percent highlighted a lack of trust in police.

Crimestoppers has launched a campaign through its youth service, Fearless, which allows young people to submit information anonymously.

It features Charlie Cosser, who was murdered in 2023 after being stabbed while trying to protect a friend.

His father, Martin Cosser, is working with Fearless to show how sharing information could help prevent similar tragedies.

He said: “No family should have to experience the heartbreak ours has endured.

“We know fear can stop people speaking up, but one piece of information can make all the difference.”

Only 33 percent of East Midlands respondents knew Crimestoppers’ reporting service was completely anonymous, while 36 percent were aware it operated independently of police.

Fearless provides information about crime, personal safety and the law, as well as an anonymous reporting service. It does not request names or identifying information.

Anyone with information about knife crime or other serious criminal activity can report it anonymously at Fearless.org.