Surrey Campaigner Urges Youth to Report Knife Crime Safely
A Parent’s Mission to Protect Our Young People
Martin Cosser, a campaigner from Surrey whose 17-year-old son Charlie was fatally stabbed at a West Sussex gathering in 2023, is intensifying efforts to empower young people to speak out about knife crime concerns. Through his charity Charlie’s Promise, Cosser has partnered with Crimestoppers to launch a new film promoting Fearless, an anonymous reporting service designed specifically for youth worried about weapons in their communities.
Since his son’s death, Cosser has dedicated himself to reaching over 100,000 young people with his message about the dangers of knife carrying. His work spans across Surrey communities, including areas around Guildford, Woking, Dorking, Horsley, and East Horsley, where parents and educators are increasingly recognising the need for practical solutions. Cosser’s advocacy highlights a critical gap: many young people remain silent about their concerns because they fear burdening parents, worry about consequences at school, or simply don’t trust traditional reporting channels. His campaign directly addresses these barriers to communication.
Why Fearless Matters to Local Communities
The Fearless service, operated by the charity Crimestoppers, offers young people a confidential way to report information about knife crime without fear of identification or repercussions. This distinction is vital for Surrey’s young residents who may witness or know about dangerous situations but feel trapped between loyalty to peers and personal safety concerns.
Cosser emphasises that anonymous reporting enables early intervention—potentially stopping incidents before they escalate. His message resonates across local communities where residents recognise that preventing one stabbing could save a life. Schools, youth centres, and community organisations throughout the region are now sharing information about the service with students and young people in their care. Local businesses, from kitchen renovation specialists in Guildford to bathroom fitters in Woking, are also supporting awareness efforts within their workplaces where young staff members may benefit from knowing how to report concerns safely. The campaign reflects a growing acknowledgment that knife crime prevention requires multiple stakeholders working together.
What Local Residents Should Know and Do Next
Young people across Surrey can contact Fearless to report knife crime concerns anonymously through the service’s secure channels. Parents, educators, and community leaders should familiarise themselves with how the service works and encourage young people to use it when they have information about potential danger.
Cosser’s broader message—that young people genuinely want to do the right thing but need clear pathways—applies to every neighbourhood from East Horsley to Dorking. He’s called for knife safety education to begin as early as primary school, ensuring children understand consequences before adolescence. Local residents can support this mission by: attending community awareness sessions, talking openly with young people about knife crime without dismissing their concerns, and promoting Fearless as a legitimate reporting option. The campaign has resonated with local organisations, schools, and even businesses considering bathroom refurbishment projects or kitchen renovation work, many of which employ young staff. Cosser’s statement—”You don’t get a second chance in life”—serves as a sobering reminder that prevention through early reporting could genuinely save someone in our community.
Source: Martin Cosser says youngsters should report knife crime worries
