AN initiative to urge young people to be fearless against crime - and particularly the reporting of it - will be launched in the Island next month.

Fearless has been designed by the Crimestoppers charity and the launch will take place on Saturday, February 5 at the Strand Shopping Centre, Douglas.

Young people from Douglas Royal Ladies Football and Ballakermeen High School are backing the launch and they will be supported by local Crimestoppers representatives who will be available to provide information. 

The event is being organised by the Isle of Man Crimestoppers East Region representative Zoë Hawley.

She said: "The launch has been organised to introduce the Fearless brand to the Island.

"This new youth brand introduces young people (target age range 11-17) to the Crimestoppers concept but has been specifically designed to offer channels for younger people to report information about crimes anonymously and without fear of repercussions. 

"The Fearless website – www.fearless.org also provides education on criminal activity that might affect young people on the Isle of Man.

"Issues covered from a factual perspective include crimes arising from drugs and alcohol, cyber crime, bullying, theft and vandalism.

"The site offers games, quizzes and access to relevant YouTube excerpts.

"Young people are one of the most important audiences for Crimestoppers and Fearless is being launched to help provide avenues for them to pass on information about crime safe in the knowledge that their identity will never be revealed and that, through this channel, they will not have to speak to the police."

The launch runs from 9am until 5pm.

Zoe said: "Fearless has already been launched in the UK and is proving to be very successful.

"Crimestoppers IoM are excited about this new campaign and feel that Fearless could be the right tool to help young people play an important role in helping to keep the Island a safe place to live."

Crimestoppers IoM is a Manx registered charity dedicated to fighting crime across the Island.

For more information see www.crimestoppers.co.im