A new charity campaign aims to reveal the “truth about carrying a knife” to young people in Wales.
The initiative comes as reports of knife crime in the country have risen by 20 per cent in the last six months, according to Crimestoppers.
The charity’s youth service, Fearless, has launched the campaign to educate the community about the dangers of knife carrying and to encourage the anonymous reporting of knife carriers.
The campaign highlights that carrying a knife increases the likelihood of being injured and could lead to a five-year prison sentence, even if the knife is not used.
Fearless provides a platform for young people to report crime 100 per cent anonymously.
Information can be submitted via Fearless.org or by calling 0800 555 111 at any time.
Hayley Fry, Wales national manager for Crimestoppers, said: “Asking young people in Wales to speak up about crime anonymously and without fear of retribution is at the heart of Fearless.
“For this campaign, we particularly want to reach out to young people to challenge common myths around carrying knives, as well as encourage them to report anyone they’re concerned about who may be carrying one.
“We’re also urging adults across Wales who may know someone carrying a knife to make ‘a hard call’ and report what they know anonymously.
“Our charity has always kept its promise of anonymity to everyone who contacts us.”
Fearless is the youth service of Crimestoppers, an independent charity that has been helping communities to “speak up, stay safe” for more than 36 years.
The charity receives information about crime anonymously and ensures that it is passed on.
Since its inception in 1988, Crimestoppers has received more than 2.2 million actionable calls and online contacts, resulting in more than 151,000 arrests and charges.
It has also recovered more than £139 million worth of stolen goods and seized more than £367 million worth of illegal drugs.