Independent charity Crimestoppers has today launched a major campaign across the North West to encourage reporting on criminal gangs.
The campaign features a social media advert using a snake to illustrate how criminal gangs slowly increase their grip on communities until all that is left is fear and a feeling of helplessness.
Gary Murray, North West regional manager at Crimestoppers, said: “Criminals do not care who they exploit or the violence and damage they bring to our communities. They destroy lives whilst pursuing vast profits. Gang members are known in the areas they operate but there is often a reluctance of those who live nearby to report on their illegal and harmful activities.
“The same gang may not only be involved in the sale of illegal drugs and cannabis cultivation, but can be also responsible for exploitation of young people and the vulnerable through County Lines, modern slavery, sexual exploitation, illegal immigration, the importation and use of guns, illegal money lending and money laundering.
“The key to making the North West a safer place to live and work is to pass on information completely anonymously to Crimestoppers so that law enforcement can act. With Crimestoppers, there’s no police, no courts, no witness statements.”
The charity has put together some questions to prompt the public and hopefully encourage them to report what they see or hear:
- What are the names of those members of serious crime gangs in the area?
- Who runs the local drugs trade?
- Which premises are used for criminal activity and drug dealing?
- Who is bringing weapons into your area and where they are being stored?
- How do these gangs recruit those who they are exploiting?
- Have you information on those who have committed violent crime in your area?
Gary added: “Help us loosen the grip of criminal gangs across the North West. Only by individuals taking the brave step of reporting anonymously what is going on in their areas to our charity will we see a cut in the pain and suffering that our communities face.
“The information you and others come forward with may help save lives and make your area safer for you and your family. The one thing that these gangs fear most is that people will say enough is enough and pass on vital information of their harmful and sometimes fatal activity.
“Over the last six months from the North West and North Wales we have received over 20,000 pieces of `actionable’ or high-quality information. This has led to a significant number of arrests, millions of pounds of drugs seized and weapons being taken off our streets. We would like to thank all those who have contacted our charity. We will never know who they are because of anonymity, but they have made the North West safer for everyone and made a real difference.”
To speak up 100% anonymously, visit the charity’s website Crimestoppers-uk.org and fill in the secure anonymous online form or call the 24/7 UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111.
Computer IP addresses are never traced, and no-one will ever know you contacted Crimestoppers.
