Snapchat campaign to combat knife crime engages thousands of children

The campaign was shared on CrimeStoppers Scotland youth section Fearless on social media.

It allowed young people to swipe directly to the Fearless website from the popular social media app to submit reports about crime or learn more about violent crime among young people.

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Over just three weeks, 33,000 young people engaged with the campaign after it was launched in September at Eastbank Academy in Glasgow.

Dozens of young people also submitted anonymous reports of people carrying weapons or becoming involved in violent crime.

A young person involved in the design of the Snapchat content said: "I know people who are in gangs and have knives and stuff and I know someone my age who was stabbed in the summer.
 
“Something needs to be done and I cannae get rid of like the gangs or anything, but helping with this was fine.  I'm really happy that there was a good response."

Lyndsay McDade, Crimestoppers Scotland national youth projects coordinator added: "Fearless provides a very clear call to action for young people.

“We make it easy to speak up about crime by providing a way to do so 100 per cent. That means you don't need to worry about the stigma sometimes associated with reporting, potential retaliation and so on.

“We can't track your IP address or any contact details, so nobody will know the information came from you - but you will make lives safer.
 
"I am immensely proud of the service we offer at Fearless.org and how we empower young people in Scotland to feel confident speaking up about crime."

Young people concerned about violent crime among their peers can visit Fearless.org or by call 0800 555 111.