Wiltshire FA and Crimestoppers charity are joining forces in Wiltshire.

With aligned corporate visions which focus on bringing the community together, both organisations aim to have a positive impact in Wiltshire by promoting active and safe communities.

Oliver Selfe, CEO at Wiltshire FA, said, “This is a great opportunity to partner with Crimestoppers, who are working in Wiltshire to ensure people feel safe wherever they live.

“To benefit our community we want to make sure all our members are aware of the work Crimestoppers do; giving people the power to speak up and stop crime, completely anonymously.

“As a County FA we want to ensure all our members, especially our youth players, feel safe and empowered in their community.”

Wiltshire FA is driven by the principles to educate, develop and support the community by offering professional training, opportunities to get involved in football and support for players, officials, clubs and leagues.

Oliver continues, “We work hard to reach all areas of our community. We believe football can have a powerful and positive impact on people’s lives; it can unite communities, build relationships and open pathways.

“Together with the charity, we can increase the positive impact we have by connecting people and communities to make Wiltshire a safer place.”

Last year 1,365 reports were sent by Crimestoppers charity to Wiltshire Police with information about drug crimes, assault and harassment, driving offenses and possession of weapons. From these reports 15 people were arrested and charged and a further 11 cases resulted in positive action.

Matthew McGinn, Chair of the Wiltshire & Swindon Crimestoppers Volunteer Committee said, “Our charity seeks partnerships with organisations who are aligned with our ethos of community safety.  We see great benefits in partnering with Wiltshire FA, an organisation that supports thousands of people in Wiltshire. We want to ensure their customers are aware of the anonymous crime reporting service and the impact passing on crime information has to making us safer.”

Wiltshire FA work with 1069 football teams across Wiltshire with 10,000 players under the age of 18.

Matthew McGinn continues, “We know football offers a positive influence on young people’s lives so this is also a great opportunity to reach the young people in Wiltshire to make them aware about our youth service, Fearless.org, where you can access non-judgemental information and advice about crime.”

The Fearless website offers 11-16 year olds information and advice about crime and criminality and provides a safe place to give information about crime - 100% anonymously.

Oliver Selfe comments, “As part of our new partnership we have already made plans to host a Football Festival at Swindon Town FC this summer for 11-14 year olds. The festival will celebrate the positive force football has on society as part of a wider campaign Wiltshire FA is running called ‘The Football Effect’.”

Crimestoppers is a charity that gives people the power to speak up and stop crime 100% anonymously, by phone and online, 24/7, 365 days a year.

To support Crimestoppers in Wiltshire you can donate online.