Agency by William Gibson 
Independent charity Crimestoppers has launched a major campaign across the North West to encourage reporting on criminal gangs.
The campaign features an advert using a snake to illustrate how criminal gangs slowly increase their grip on communities until all that is left is fear and a feeling of helplessness.
Crimestoppers said: “Criminals do not care who they exploit or the violence and damage they bring to our communities. They destroy lives while pursuing vast profits. Gang members are known in the areas they operate but there is often a reluctance of those who live nearby to report on their illegal and harmful activities.
“The same gang may not only be involved in the sale of illegal drugs and cannabis cultivation but can be also responsible for exploitation of young people and the vulnerable through County Lines, modern slavery, sexual exploitation, illegal immigration, the importation and use of guns, illegal money lending and money laundering.”
The charity said the key to making the North West a safer place to live and work was to pass on information completely anonymously to Crimestoppers so that law enforcement could act.
With Crimestoppers, there’s no police, no courts, no witness statements. The charity has put together some questions to prompt the public and hopefully encourage them to report what they see or hear:
• What are the names of those members of serious crime gangs in the area?
• Who runs the local drugs trade?
• Which premises are used for criminal activity and drug dealing?
• Who is bringing weapons into the area and where are they being stored?
• How do these gangs recruit those who they are exploiting?
• Who has committed violent crime in the area?
Gary Murray, North West regional manager at Crimestoppers, said: “Help us loosen the grip of criminal gangs across the North West. Only by individuals taking the brave step of reporting anonymously what is going on in their areas to our charity will we see a cut in the pain and suffering that our communities face.
“The information you and others come forward with may help save lives and make your area safer for you and your family. The one thing that these gangs fear most is that people will say enough is enough and pass on vital information of their harmful and sometimes fatal activity.”
To speak up 100% anonymously, visit the charity’s website Crimestoppers-uk.org and fill in the secure anonymous online form or call the 24/7 UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111.
