Tag: summer campaign

Children only get 18 summers – let’s make this a safe one

FEARLESS LAUNCHES SUMMER CAMPAIGN

Fearless, the youth service of Crimestoppers, has launched its earliest ever summer campaign across Scotland to help young people stay safe from the very start of the holidays.

Supported by Network Rail Scotland, the campaign launches today, weeks before schools break up – so young people hear these messages before summer reaches its peak. It focuses on making positive choices, staying safe online, violence prevention, looking out for each other and knowing how to speak up 100% anonymously if they are worried about crime.

It also comes ahead of key moments in the summer calendar, including the end of exams and major events and festivals across Scotland, when more young people are out and about, travelling and spending time in new places with friends.

Throughout the summer, Fearless will be out in communities, transport hubs and at major events including Youth Beatz and TRNSMT, speaking directly with young people. The campaign offers practical, non-judgemental support wherever young people spend their time. It will also run across TikTok and Snapchat, with content shaped by young people themselves and grounded in the reality of their lives.

Through fearless.org, young people can share information about crime 100% anonymously. No names. No contact details. No way of tracing where potentially lifesaving information came from.

 Lyndsay McDade, Fearless National Manager for Scotland, said: “As a mum to teenagers, I’m very aware that children only get 18 summers before adulthood. I want this to be a great one for young people right across Scotland.

“I want all young people to enjoy themselves, get home safely every day and feel supported to make good choices. That’s what summer should be.

“That’s why we’re launching our campaign earlier than ever, with more visibility and more time spent where young people are, giving them the information and conversations they need to navigate the holidays.

“If you work with or look after young people, please tell them about our charity. They can follow us on our new Scotland TikTok @Fearless_Scot and use our website fearless.org to get the information they need to keep them safe.

“We all need to be there for young people this summer. We need to be present. We need to recognise that they belong in our communities and show them that we believe in them.”

Innis Keith, Health, Safety and Environment Director at Network Rail Scotland, said: “Thousands of journeys are made safely every day on Scotland’s Railway.

“The real risk comes from poor decisions like trespassing, taking shortcuts, or trying to take photos or videos near the tracks. Moments like these can have life‑changing or fatal consequences.

“Through Fearless, we want young people to understand that their choices in those moments really matter.

“The campaign gives them the confidence to look out for themselves and their friends, to speak up when something feels wrong, and to make better decisions around the railway.

“When they feel informed and supported, it’s more likely they’ll make choices that get them home safely.”

Crimestoppers launches Safer Communities summer campaign

Don’t let thieves steal our summer 

Thieves operate all year round. That’s why this summer Crimestoppers is launching their new seasonal acquisitive crime campaign, ‘Safer Communities’: 

We’ll be raising awareness of our anonymous service and sharing prevention advice from our partners Mitie and Neighbourhood Watch to help protect you, your home and car from opportunistic thieves.

As lockdown eases and we leave our homes this summer, we need to protect ourselves and possessions from crime. The pandemic has brought neighbours together, and we don’t want that to stop – you can still be neighbourly by looking out for each other’s homes when you go on holiday. 

IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ON THE CRIMINALS BEHIND ANY OF THE BELOW CRIMES, TELL US WHAT YOU KNOW – CALL 0800 555 111 OR USE THE ONLINE FORM HERE ON OUR WEBSITE. YOU’LL STAY 100% ANONYMOUS. ALWAYS.

With your help we’ve helped reunite people with stolen goods, made communities safer and brought people to justice.

Theft

Lockdown easing is likely to result in a rise in interpersonal crimes like snatch-theft and assault, as people go out more in the evening and have a few drinks with friends. 

When we’ve all been used to not going out as much as usual, it’s easy to forget to keep an eye on your handbag, wallet, mobile phone or purse – and thieves are always on the lookout for new opportunities.

DO YOU HAVE INFORMATION ON THIEVES WHO CARRY OUT THESE CRIMES? STAY 100% ANONYMOUS BY TELLING US WHAT YOU KNOW. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN KEEP YOU AND YOUR POSSESSIONS SAFE FROM THEFT.

Burglary

Domestic burglary may be perceived as a victimless crime; however, 84% of victims feel emotionally affected after a burglary, with 35% feeling vulnerable, resulting in a lack of confidence. 

Burglars keep an eye out for empty and unprotected properties and, now that we’re starting to go out more, they are likely to step up their surveillance – but, by speaking up, together we can all help to combat this.

John Hayward-Cripps, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch, said: “Now that we’re all starting to ease out of Covid-19 restrictions, we need to make sure that as well as keeping ourselves safe, we’re keeping our homes and neighbourhoods safe.

“More people out and about means homes will be left unattended, and burglary may rise, which is why we’re supporting Crimestoppers’ Safer Communities campaign.”

IF YOU KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT A PLANNED CRIME, OR HAVE SEEN A CRIME TAKE PLACE AND WANT TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS, TELL US WHAT YOU KNOW.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR HOME, AND WHAT USEFUL INFORMATION YOU CAN TELL US ABOUT THIS CRIME.

Car crime

Did you know? In the UK, a car is stolen on average every ten minutes, and catalytic converter theft is on the rise. 

Catalytic converter theft doesn’t just happen outside residential properties, it can happen in car parks too. Earlier this year OPAL, a national intelligence unit focused on serious organised acquisitive crime, reported a national increase in these types of offences across both locations.

Barrie Millett, Director of Assurance, Security and Business Services, Mitie, said: “Our business crime unit at Mitie is tackling catalytic converter theft for our clients. Last year they saw an increase in this activity between July and October, when lockdown restrictions eased, in line with national trends.  

“As Covid restrictions get lifted once more, we urge our customers, clients and staff to stay vigilant, follow prevention advice, and tell Crimestoppers what you know if you have information about the criminals carrying out these crimes.” 

Whilst you’re out and about this summer, stay alert and follow Neighbourhood Watch’s simple protection advice – to keep your car locked, lit and empty. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR CAR FROM CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT, AND WHAT USEFUL INFORMATION YOU CAN TELL US ABOUT THIS CRIME.

Don’t let thieves steal our summer

Thieves operate all year round. That’s why this summer Crimestoppers are launching a new seasonal acquisitive crime campaign, ‘Safer Communities’: 

We’ll be raising awareness of our anonymous service and sharing prevention advice from our partners Mitie and Neighbourhood Watch to help protect you, your home and car from opportunistic thieves.

As lockdown eases and we leave our homes this summer, we need to protect ourselves and possessions from crime. The pandemic has brought neighbours together, and we don’t want that to stop – you can still be neighbourly by looking out for each other’s homes when you go on holiday. 

IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ON THE CRIMINALS BEHIND ANY OF THE BELOW CRIMES, TELL US WHAT YOU KNOW – CALL 0800 555 111 OR USE THE ONLINE FORM HERE ON OUR WEBSITE. YOU’LL STAY 100% ANONYMOUS. ALWAYS.

With your help we’ve helped reunite people with stolen goods, made communities safer and brought people to justice.

THEFT

Lockdown easing is likely to result in a rise in interpersonal crimes like snatch-theft and assault, as people go out more in the evening and have a few drinks with friends. 

When we’ve all been used to not going out as much as usual, it’s easy to forget to keep an eye on your handbag, wallet, mobile phone or purse – and thieves are always on the lookout for new opportunities.

DO YOU HAVE INFORMATION ON THIEVES WHO CARRY OUT THESE CRIMES? STAY 100% ANONYMOUS BY TELLING US WHAT YOU KNOW. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN KEEP YOU AND YOUR POSSESSIONS SAFE FROM THEFT.

BURGLARY

Domestic burglary may be perceived as a victimless crime; however, 84% of victims feel emotionally affected after a burglary, with 35% feeling vulnerable, resulting in a lack of confidence. 

Burglars keep an eye out for empty and unprotected properties and, now that we’re starting to go out more, they are likely to step up their surveillance – but, by speaking up, together we can all help to combat this.

John Hayward-Cripps, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch, said: “Now that we’re all starting to ease out of Covid-19 restrictions, we need to make sure that as well as keeping ourselves safe, we’re keeping our homes and neighbourhoods safe.

“More people out and about means homes will be left unattended, and burglary may rise, which is why we’re supporting Crimestoppers’ Safer Communities campaign.”

IF YOU KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT A PLANNED CRIME, OR HAVE SEEN A CRIME TAKE PLACE AND WANT TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS, TELL US WHAT YOU KNOW.

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR HOME, AND WHAT USEFUL INFORMATION YOU CAN TELL US ABOUT THIS CRIME.

CAR CRIME

Did you know? In the UK, a car is stolen on average every ten minutes, and catalytic converter theft is on the rise. 

Catalytic converter theft doesn’t just happen outside residential properties, it can happen in car parks too. Earlier this year OPAL, a national intelligence unit focused on serious organised acquisitive crime, reported a national increase in these types of offences across both locations.

Barrie Millett, Mitie Director of Assurance, Security and Business Services, said: “Our business crime unit at Mitie is tackling catalytic converter theft for our clients. Last year they saw an increase in this activity between July and October, when lockdown restrictions eased, in line with national trends.  

“As Covid restrictions get lifted once more, we urge our customers, clients and staff to stay vigilant, follow prevention advice, and tell Crimestoppers what you know if you have information about the criminals carrying out these crimes.”

Whilst you’re out and about this summer, stay alert and follow Neighbourhood Watch’s simple protection advice – to keep your car locked, lit and empty. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR CAR FROM CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT, AND WHAT USEFUL INFORMATION YOU CAN TELL US ABOUT THIS CRIME.