Lancashire leads the way in Crimestoppers reports

Between April and September 2025, Lancashire saw a 25.3% increase in Crimestoppers reports compared to the same period last year – the highest number of reports ever recorded in a six-month period for the county.

“This is a clear sign that people in Lancashire are taking a stand against crime,” said Commissioner Grunshaw. “Crimestoppers plays a vital role in giving people a safe, anonymous way to speak up, and these figures show that more people than ever are using that opportunity.”

Key highlights from the latest data include:

• A 25.3% increase in reports in Q1 and Q2 compared to last year
• The highest ever number of reports in a six-month period for Lancashire
• A significant rise in reports related to knife crime
• An increase in domestic abuse reports, reflecting growing awareness and willingness to report
• Lancashire now ranks as one of the top areas in the country for Crimestoppers reports per 100,000 people

Lancashire is also seeing growing engagement of young people through Fearless, Crimestoppers’ youth service, which allows under-25s to report crime anonymously and access advice without fear of repercussions.

Commissioner Grunshaw added: “These figures are not just numbers; they represent real people who have chosen to do the right thing. Whether it’s reporting knife crime, domestic abuse, or other serious issues, every report helps protect our communities and bring offenders to justice.”

He also praised the partnership between Lancashire Constabulary, Crimestoppers, and local organisations for raising awareness and encouraging reporting:

“This success is a testament to the hard work of our partners and the trust the public places in Crimestoppers.

“Young people are increasingly using Fearless to speak out about crime in their communities, and their courage and willingness to act is helping to protect their peers and make Lancashire safer for everyone, and we will continue to build on this momentum.”

Gary Murray, North West Regional Manager Crimestoppers said:” We are delighted with the large increase in reports and would like to thank the public in Lancashire for the trust and confidence that they have in our anonymous service. Information from the public is vital in helping to solve crimes, in taking drugs off our streets and in making communities safer.

“Everyday we receive important information online or by phone on crime from the public in Lancashire which we pass on to Lancashire Police. We cannot identify the IP address or phone number of those who have contacted us, and we sanitise the information so that it does not contain anything that could identify the person who has provided that information. Our service is 100% anonymous.”

“As an independent charity we want like to acknowledge the support that we receive from the Commissioner and Lancashire Police and the strength of our partnership.”

Detective Superintendent Mark Haworth-Oates from Lancashire Constabulary said: “The significant rise in Crimestoppers reports is a powerful reflection of the public’s growing confidence in reporting crime anonymously. These reports are a vital source of intelligence that help us identify patterns, disrupt criminal activity, and safeguard vulnerable individuals.

“The increase in knife crime and domestic abuse reports is particularly important as it shows that people are speaking out about serious issues that often go unreported.

“Every report we receive through Crimestoppers contributes to building a clearer picture of what’s happening across Lancashire. It allows us to act swiftly and effectively, while protecting the anonymity of those who come forward.”

For more information about Crimestoppers or to report a crime anonymously, visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org or call 0800 555 111.