WILTSHIRE FA and Crimestoppers are joining forces to promote active and safe communities in the county.

Both organisations want to bring communities together and to have a positive impact in the county.

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.”

Last year 1,365 reports were sent to by Crimestoppers charity to Wiltshire Police with information about drug crimes, assault and harassment, driving offences 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: "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 added: “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 per cent anonymously.

As part of the new partnership, plans have also been made for 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.

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.

For more details visit wiltshirefa.com