Yorkshire residents don't trust young people to tell police if they know someone carries a knife
If you knew someone regularly carried a knife, would you tell the police?
Only around one in five people in Yorkshire and the Humber trust that young people will tell police about those carrying knives.
UK-wide research from YouGov commissioned by charity Crimestoppers showed residents have little faith in young people raising the alarm about knife crime.
But they do think teenagers would report information to an anonymous service.
YouGov claims the findings raise concerns that vital information about knife crime could be going unreported, despite the devastating impact serious violence has on victims, families and communities.
Fear of retaliation also remains a significant barrier. More than four in ten people in Yorkshire and the Humber cite fear of retaliation as a reason they might not report information to the police.
The regional findings come as Crimestoppers launches a new campaign through its youth service, Fearless.org, after the research also revealed a significant reporting gap among young people.
Nationally, just 31 per cent of 16 to 25-year-olds in the UK say they would be very likely to report information about knife crime directly to the police, compared with 45 per cent of adults.
The findings challenge the perception that young people are unwilling to help tackle knife crime. Instead, they suggest fear, mistrust and uncertainty are preventing many from speaking up, even when they may have information that could help prevent serious violence.
For example, 41 per cent of 16-25s say fear of retaliation could stop them sharing information about knife crime with the police, while 28 per cent say they lack trust in the police to stop it.
Fearless is Crimestoppers’ dedicated youth service, providing young people with trusted information about crime, personal safety and the law, alongside a safe and completely anonymous way to pass on information about crime.
Independent of the police, Fearless.org never asks for a name or any details that could identify the person making the report.
The research also found that only 36 per cent of people in Yorkshire and Humberside are aware that Crimestoppers reporting service is completely anonymous.
Through this campaign, the charity hopes more young people will understand there is a safe, anonymous way to share information that could help prevent knife crime and protect others.
Anyone with information about knife crime or other serious criminal activity can contact Fearless anonymously by visiting Fearless.org.