Tackling UK Knife Crime.....how?
Discussion
Tory Election Manifesto said:
Today, almost four out of every five people found guilty of a knife crime escape jail. We have to send a serious, unambiguous message that carrying a knife is totally unacceptable, so we will make it clear that anyone convicted of a knife crime can expect to face a prison sentence. We will introduce mobile knife scanners on streets and public transport, and extend the length of custodial sentences that can be awarded in a magistrates’ Court from six to twelve months.
The Beeb said:
A Conservative election pledge that anyone caught carrying a knife could expect a jail term will not be implemented, the BBC has been told.
Justice Secretary Ken Clarke said he would put sentencing policy in the hands of judges, not newspaper pundits.
Politicians in telling pre election lies shocker....who would have thought it?Justice Secretary Ken Clarke said he would put sentencing policy in the hands of judges, not newspaper pundits.
So if tougher sentencing isn't the answer then what is?
Pupp said:
Education, social opportunity, meaningful decently rewarded and developmental jobs. See the problem...?
Nope, plenty of education available, free at the point of delivery, with for, the past twenty years, the majority of teachers really wanting their students to grasp the opportunity education can provide.That education then providing the rest.
Then, I remember an article, some twelve years ago, in the TES (my wife's copy), written by a teacher in an innercity school. The jist was, I try so hard, yet they (the students) seem to be proud of their ignorance.
Horses, water.
Why is that?
It used to be perfectly normal for ordinary people to own all sorts of weapons. A hundred years ago having a revolver in the house was rather common.
I spent a lot of my childhood in a community where most households owned a shotgun (Farmers) but I can't remember even bothering to lock my car when I last visited. I remember an old lady complaining that a crime had occured ten miles away and if things got worse she would mend her back door lock and may (look of shock at the thought) even have to use it.
Today there are countries with very large numbers of weapons (such as the Swiss with their army service guns IIRC) that don't seem to have a related crime problem.
Attitudes have changed, that is the problem, not the ownership of weapons.
I spent a lot of my childhood in a community where most households owned a shotgun (Farmers) but I can't remember even bothering to lock my car when I last visited. I remember an old lady complaining that a crime had occured ten miles away and if things got worse she would mend her back door lock and may (look of shock at the thought) even have to use it.
Today there are countries with very large numbers of weapons (such as the Swiss with their army service guns IIRC) that don't seem to have a related crime problem.
Attitudes have changed, that is the problem, not the ownership of weapons.
I'd counsel anyone to be careful when considering what the Home Office define 'Knife Crime' as.
Yes, it has knives but it also includes
screwdrivers (but only when they are sharpened first so as to make them 'weapons')
bottles (but only if they are broken first and thrust / slashed using the sharp edge. If you are hit with a bottle, and it breaks on impact, that is not counted)
Oh, the joys of National Indicator 28, previously Statutory Performance Indicator 5.6...
Stats - there is a whole industry out there to support them.
Yes, it has knives but it also includes
screwdrivers (but only when they are sharpened first so as to make them 'weapons')
bottles (but only if they are broken first and thrust / slashed using the sharp edge. If you are hit with a bottle, and it breaks on impact, that is not counted)
Oh, the joys of National Indicator 28, previously Statutory Performance Indicator 5.6...
Stats - there is a whole industry out there to support them.
WhoseGeneration said:
Then, I remember an article, some twelve years ago, in the TES (my wife's copy), written by a teacher in an innercity school. The jist was, I try so hard, yet they (the students) seem to be proud of their ignorance.
Horses, water.
Why is that?
My best guess is that the type of person described already knows that they are basically thick, and attempting to improve themselves will only show up their deficiencies. Avoiding education gives them an excuse for continuing to be thick.Horses, water.
Why is that?
I think these loveable rogues need a hug and a good chat over a cup of coffee to talk out their feelings
I vote for the being stabbed with your own weapon. If someone uses the knife to stab someone / mug someone, they got shot in the head with a 9mm round, and their family get billed for said bullet.
I vote for the being stabbed with your own weapon. If someone uses the knife to stab someone / mug someone, they got shot in the head with a 9mm round, and their family get billed for said bullet.
There is a very sad aspect that not many on PH will consider or sympathise with; if you live in a area where you know gangs operate and routinely carry knives, what do you do? Having heard some of the stories of bullying and assault, it sometimes amazes me knive carrying is not more prolific with you males.
It's not an easy circle to break.
It's not an easy circle to break.
Digga said:
There is a very sad aspect that not many on PH will consider or sympathise with; if you live in a area where you know gangs operate and routinely carry knives, what do you do? Having heard some of the stories of bullying and assault, it sometimes amazes me knive carrying is not more prolific with you males.
It's not an easy circle to break.
You think you've got it bad we have drive-by shootings every morning, without fail we see a big 4x4 drive past our house with a couple of guys inside brandishing shotguns. They then carry on past our house and start shooting.It's not an easy circle to break.
Mind you they are game keepers they are meant to do that sort of thing
BeeRoad said:
Bear in mind the vast majority of 'knife crime' is simply possessing a knife at an inappropriate location and a tiny proportion for stabbing people. Do we really want to see everyone who forgets to take their fishing knife out of their land rover go to jail?
Quite!I always carry a lock knife (opinel) when I'm on my boat, which means it is on me when I've taken the tender ashore to buy stuff, or go for a pint. I am of course guilty by default, and will have to prove my innocence. I am perfectly happy to stand up in court and explain that there is a far greater chance of me needing to cut a discarded rope from my propeller, than me stabbing somebody with it.
Some common sense is needed, which means that there is no chance of the law makers getting it right.
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