Crimestoppers is expanding its youth service Fearless as it employs, for the first time, a dedicated Fearless Outreach Worker for Surrey.

Fearless is the youth service of Crimestoppers and through its website Fearless.org offers young people non-judgemental advice so they can make informed decisions about reporting crime.

The service also engages with and educates young people about the consequences of their choices around crime.

The Fearless website allows young people to give information about crime 100 per cent anonymously using a secure online form.

The message is reinforced through campaigns that encourage safe and anonymous reporting of issues such as knife and drug crime.

The new role is funded by the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner David Munro as part of his focus to support younger people.

Fearless’s Emily Drew said: “Young people often have negative perceptions of authorities, such as the police, and therefore aren’t very forthcoming when it comes to speaking about crime.

“Fearless is shaped around supporting them to make a positive change in their perceptions, confidence, attitudes and actions.

“Ultimately, we want to help them make informed decisions about reporting crime and steer them away from trouble.”

Surrey PCC Mr Munro added: “Fearless provides an important and trusted service that has a real part to play in not only education but also in giving young people an avenue to turn to.

“I hope this role will help young people resist being drawn into such activity and give them a voice in their community to make where they live or go to school safer places to be.”

Crimestoppers Surrey chairman Ian Chandler said: “A recent report commissioned by Victim Support showed less than a fifth of children and young people, who experience theft or violent crime, go on to report this to the police.

“These are worrying stats for some of the most vulnerable people in our community and we hope that by getting our Fearless message out to more young people than ever, we can help keep them safe.”