Surrey teen's tragic death inspires knife crime campaign
New initiative encourages anonymous reporting to safeguard communities
A campaigner whose teenage son was fatally stabbed has joined forces with Crimestoppers to launch a national knife crime awareness campaign.
17 year old Charlie Cosser from Surrey was fatally stabbed at a house party in West Sussex in 2023.
His parents, Martin and Tara Cosser, have become Fearless Ambassadors and are urging young people who suspect someone is carrying a knife to report this information anonymously to prevent further violence.
The campaign utilises a new film, 'Charlie’s story,' which aims to empower young people to use their voice for change, highlighting anonymous reporting as a safe route to share crime information.
According to YouGov research commissioned by Crimestoppers and Fearless, only 31% of 16 to 25-year-olds would be very likely to share information with police if they believed someone could be seriously injured due to knife crime.
However, this figure rises to 51% when an anonymous reporting option, like that offered by Fearless and Crimestoppers, is available.
Martin Cosser emphasised the importance of anonymous reporting: “Charlie’s death has left a hole in our family that can never be filled. No parent should have to experience the pain of losing their child to knife crime.
“There may be young people who know someone is carrying a knife but feel frightened, uncertain or worried about what will happen if they speak up. I want them to understand that they do not have to give their name or put themselves at risk.
“Even a small piece of information could prevent another young person from being hurt and another family from suffering the heartbreak we live with every day.”
Fearless allows individuals aged 11 to 25 to report crime anonymously, either by phone or through their website, independent of police involvement.
Charlie’s Promise a charity founded by Charlie's parents, focuses on the fight against knife crime in Surrey and across the UK.
As part of their efforts, Martin has been giving talks to thousands of schoolchildren, educating them about the dangers of knife crime.