Only two months after launching Fearless to all secondary schools in Thames Valley, the charity is delighted to report that 12 per cent of the 209 schools and colleges approached have already confirmed that they will be signing up pupils for the local Buddies initiative, and a further 30 per cent have registered an interest [3 April 2012].

The first wave of schools signing up to the local scheme will take the Crimestoppers message to around 25,000 pupils, initially promoting the new Fearless video ‘The Cycle Continues’ and directing students to register for Buddies on the Fearless website.

Phil Gomm, Deputy Chair of Thames Valley Crimestoppers who created the Buddies project commented: “With 25 local schools already confirmed to register for Buddies, the project is really starting to come alive. 

"It is so important for young people to understand that there are resources available to keep them and their communities safe. 

"We are delighted to be piloting the Buddies scheme here first as I believe we can demonstrate how to create future generations of Fearless ‘doers’, rather than scared onlookers.”

Thames Valley will work closely with schools’ police officers, communities and many other partners, offering all local secondary schools and adults working with young people the opportunity to register for Buddies and receive the Fearless secondary school resource pack, to help educate and empower young people about fighting crime. 

The program is structured to tackle subjects such as cyber-crime & bullying, drugs & alcohol, gun & knife crime, vandalism and violence and looks to challenge pupils' perceptions, stimulate debate and encourage good citizenship.