Back to knives home

Know someone with a Knife?

Know someone with a knife? is a Crimestoppers' campaign created to give young people a chance to text annonymously to 88551 if they know someone who carries a knife.

The text number is only for information on knife carrying. It is not an alternative to the Crimestoppers' 0800 555 111 number.

The information that young people are being asked to text is:

Name and/or nickname
School
Year
Area/postcode

Texts charged at standard network rates.

The text messages with be routed through special software, developed by mBlox, the world's largest mobile transaction network and Anderson Software, applications specialist for law enforcement, to ensure they remain annonymous when passed onto the police.

Crimestoppers is an independent charity dedicated to solving crimes and taking criminals off the streets. Around 17 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers. One person every five days is charged with murder.

Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has recovered over a million actionable calls, resulting in over 87,000 arrests and charges. Over £103 million worth of property has been recovered and nearly £160 million worth of drugs.

Crimestoppers UK was founded by Lord Ashcroft, KCMG, Chairman of Trustees. In 1988, he launched Crimestoppers in the Metropolitan Police area. Crimestoppers is built on a three-way partnership between the business community, the police and the media.

Essex is a safe county and doesn't have the knife crime problem seen in other areas of the UK.

What do you think about knife crime? We've all seen the news and heard the stories but we want to know your views about knife crime. Please be honest - this will help us understand more about knife crime in Essex.