(Image: Supplied)
MOST people believe young people would stay silent if they knew about someone carrying a knife.
UK-wide research by YouGov, commissioned by Crimestoppers, found that only 21 per cent of respondents believed young people would report knife possession to the police.
Confidence rose to 47 per cent if reporting could be done anonymously.
More than four in ten (41 per cent) said fear of retaliation would stop them from sharing information with police.
The findings come as Crimestoppers launches a new campaign through its youth service, Fearless.org, which offers a safe and anonymous way to report crime.
The campaign features the story of Charlie Cosser, who was stabbed to death in 2023 while trying to protect a friend.
Martin Cosser, Charlie’s father and co-founder of Charlie’s Promise, said: "No family should have to experience the heartbreak ours has endured.
"We know fear can stop people speaking up, but one piece of information can make all the difference.
"I hope this campaign helps young people understand they can share what they know anonymously and potentially save someone’s life."
Just 36 per cent of people in Yorkshire and the Humber are aware that Crimestoppers’ reporting service is completely anonymous.