Campaign encourages young people to report crime

It coincides with safeguard awareness week which runs until 15 November

A campaign to raise awareness about a dedicated service for young people to report crime anonymously on the Isle of Man has been launched.

The Isle of Man Crimestoppers Fearless programme aims to provide those aged between 11 and 16 the opportunity to report crime by phone or via an online form.

The drive coincides with safeguard awareness week and aims to create more understanding around exploitation and the support available on the island.

Chairwoman of Isle of Man Crimestoppers Karen Ramsay said the service allowed young people report crime, as well as helping them "recognise what crime is".

Reporting crime could be "very difficult" for young people as it was often considered as "snitching", which had negative connotations, she said.

'Very serious'

However, while individuals could feel they were "betraying" people, young people could be in danger of being "exploited" or becoming "very vulnerable", Ms Ramsay said.

The programme aimed to change that perception so that passing on information was seen as making the community safer, she continued.

The charity wanted to raise awareness and encourage young people to go to a trusted adult, even if it was not through the Fearless programme, she said.

The initiative also provides online resources for both young people and professionals who may be supporting an individual.

While Isle of Man Crimestoppers is its own registered charity, the call centre is based in London.

Calls are not recorded and, as is the case with the online forms, can not be traced, and individuals are supported through the process through call agents.

Mr Ramsay said: "Some of the types of crimes that young people may have information about are very serious, such as drugs crime, domestic violence and sexual crimes."

The most reported crimes on the island through the charity were drugs related, she added.

Safeguarding Awareness Week runs until 11 November.