CRIMESTOPPERS has launched an ‘urgent’ appeal for information on people across the borough and wider region who are known to be carrying weapons.

The charity ran its first-ever ‘Silence Won’t Stop Violence’ campaign last November which saw the public respond both ‘positively’ and ‘anonymously’.

Information on gangs across Yorkshire rose by 17 per cent, county lines up by 15 per cent, cuckooing up by two-thirds and information on firearms rose by 5 per cent.

They are now encouraging residents to speak out and give any information about people carrying weapons.

Gemma Gibbs, regional manager for Yorkshire and the Humber at Crimestoppers, said: “With violence and gang crime being a persistent, but preventable problem, our charity is relaunching our campaign and supporting a public health approach to tackling violence.

“This means recognising it requires a society-wide response, so we are encouraging people across Yorkshire and the Humber - who are in the know about those carrying weapons or involved in violent crime - to not be silenced, but to speak up anonymously.”

To report crime 100 per cent anonymously, visit their website crimestoppers-uk.org.