The charity Crimestoppers has launched an appeal for information on those in Wales carrying weapons.

Last November, Crimestoppers ran its first ever Silence Won't Stop Violence campaign, which saw information on gangs rise by 17 per cent, County Lines up by 15 per cent, cuckooing up by two-thirds and information on firearms rose by five per cent, compared to the period prior to the appeal.

While official statistics show a recent fall in knife crime, the crime-reporting charity says it is not time to become complacent.

A statement from Crimestoppers said: "As the pandemic continues to impact the NHS, we should all help protect communities and health service from harm.

"In 2019, over half of violent incidents across the UK were not reported to the police. Crimestoppers believes that Silence Won’t Stop Violence and is informing the public across Wales that everyone has the means and a voice to anonymously speak up to help stop or solve violent crime.

"The pandemic has also put young people in a vulnerable position, due to a lack of employment opportunities. In 2020, referrals of children suspected to be victims of County Lines gangs increased by 31 per cent."

Hayley Fry, National Manager for Wales at the charity, 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 requiring a society-wide response, so we are encouraging people in Wales - who are in the know about those carrying weapons or involved in violent crime - to not be silenced, but to speak up anonymously."

She added: “Our aim is to drive people to report what they know about violent crime incidents or planned attacks using our unique anonymous reporting service, via Crimestoppers-uk.org, by calling freephone 0800 555 111, or for young people to use Fearless.org. Together, we can help reduce the harm caused to young lives and communities across the country.”