Charity urges people to report those carrying weapons

CRIMESTOPPERS has launched an urgent appeal for information on people in the East Midlands carrying weapons.

In November, Crimestoppers ran its first Silence Won’t Stop Violence campaign, which saw the public respond positively and anonymously.

Information on gangs rose by 17 per cent, county lines up by 15 per cent, cuckooing up by two-thirds and information on firearms rose by 5 per cent compared with the period prior to the appeal.

In 2019, over half of violent incidents across the UK were not reported to the police.

However, the charity passed on 12,850 anonymous pieces of information about all crime types provided by the public across the region.

Lydia Patsalides, regional manager for the East Midlands, said: “With violence and gang crime being a persistent, but preventable problem, our charity is relaunching our campaign and supporting a public health approach to tackling violence.

“This means recognising it requires a society-wide response, so we are encouraging people in the

East Midlands who are in the know about those carrying weapons or involved in violent crime to not be silenced, but to speak up anonymously.

“We know that you may be personally close to crime but may also want to do the right thing and bring violence in your community to an end. No matter how far down the wrong road you’ve gone, you can always turn back. You do have options.

“You have the ability to prevent violent crime through telling us what you know in advance of planned violent attacks, or passing on information that can help solve crime and bring justice to victims and their families.”

Call 0800 555111 or go to: