A new campaign has been launched as the school summer holidays kick-off to help young people to understand the impact of violence, drugs and serious anti-social behaviour.
Fearless.org launched their new campaign across Lothian and Scottish Borders, raising awareness of their vital service to young people.
Coinciding with the start of the school summer holidays, their year-long focus in the area will help young people to understand the impact of violence, drugs and serious anti-social behaviour and how important it is to speak up with information.
Fearless.org – which is part of charity Crimestoppers - guarantees total anonymity and, like Crimestoppers, is totally independent of the police. It takes information anonymously and passes it on in order to make communities safer.
Using digital animations that will appear across Snapchat and TikTok and providing resources to all schools and youth groups, the charity hopes to encourage more young people to be fearless in speaking up about crime.
Lyndsay McDade, National Youth Projects Coordinator for the charity Crimestoppers, said:
“We are delighted to be launching our new project across Lothian and Borders today just in time for the beginning of the summer holidays.
“We know that the vast majority of young people want to do the right thing and improve their communities but they can find it hard to speak up about crime for fear of stigma or reprisal.
“Our year-long work across the area aims to equip them with the knowledge to live safer lives whilst reminding them that our charity – Fearless.org - is there 24/7 if they want to report information about crime 100% anonymously.
“We can’t trace IP addresses or any contact details that could identify you. If you know about crime or have crime concerns you want to pass on anonymously, then Fearless is here for you. All we want to be told anonymously is what you know. Nobody will ever know the information came from you – but you will be helping to make Scotland safer.
“If you look after a young person – please try to find 5 minutes over the holidays to tell them about our service. You could even visit our website fearless.org and have a look together.”
Chief Inspector Alun Williams, Lothian and Scottish Borders Division, Police Scotland said: “We are committed to raising awareness of the dangers associated with violence, drugs and anti-social behaviour, particularly as we approach the school holiday period.
“This initiative will better equip young people in Lothians and Scottish Borders to make informed decisions and make it easier for them to report crime anonymously.
“I would encourage young people and indeed parents and carers to visit Fearless.org where they can find further information.”
Don't miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here
