Amnesty aims to fight knife crime

[wordsmythe]

A five-week amnesty aimed at tackling knife crime across Britain - the first of its kind in a decade - has begun.
Until 30 June people can hand in knives at police stations in England, Scotland and Wales without fear of penalty.

But police have warned that once the amnesty is over, tough action will be taken on those found armed with knives.

However, some families of victims of knife crime have questioned the effectiveness of an amnesty, calling instead for tougher sentencing.

The initiative - which is running alongside a three-week campaign in Northern Ireland - comes amid growing concern at the level of knife crime in the wake of a series of fatal stabbings across the country.

Last week, 15-year-old Kiyan Prince died from a stab wound after being attacked outside his school in Edgware, north London.

Of 820 homicides in 2004/05, 236 (29%) were killed with sharp instrument

This was most common method of killing
Knives were used in 6% of all violent crime 2004/05
Source: Home Office
Figures relate to England & Wales

And earlier this year, 18-year-old Christopher Alaneme was fatally stabbed in Sheerness, Kent.

Speaking in the Commons, Prime Minister Tony Blair said the amnesty was part of a range of proposals to tackle knife crime.

These included adding a range of knives to the offensive weapons list, giving teachers powers to search students and increasing the legal age at which knives can be bought from 16 to 18.

"Where a child is threatened in any way, this will constitute an aggravating factor," he said.

The government would "do everything we can" to stop young people "getting into a knife and gun culture that is not just appalling for its victims and the people who suffer that violence but actually does nothing for the lives of those engaged in it", he added.

During the amnesty, secure bins are being placed in public reception areas of most police stations in an effort to encourage people to hand in their weapons.

Some police forces may also leave bins in churches, supermarkets, schools and youth clubs.

Police are also running a campaign to teach people about the dangers of carrying weapons.

In 1995, 40,000 weapons were handed over during a similar amnesty launched after head teacher Philip Lawrence was stabbed to death outside his school in west London.

Figures also show in the year following a month-long amnesty in Scotland in 1993, murders fell by 26%, attempted murder 19% and offensive weapons possession by 23%.

Anyone found carrying an offensive weapon in a public place after the amnesty could be imprisoned for up to six months and receive a £5,000 fine.

Life sentence

Norman Brennan, director of the Victims of Crime Trust, questioned whether it was just a public relations exercise.

Philip Lawrence's widow Frances, however, said she hoped the amnesty would make people think again about carrying knives.

She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It's greater value is the symbolic one in that it will focus people's minds on the issue and it could, for instance, open up the debate in families for instance, where people may have an uneasy feeling perhaps that their son is going off carrying a knife."

[Detector]

Of 820 homicides in 2004/05, 236 (29%) were killed with sharp instrument

This was most common method of killing
Knives were used in 6% of all violent crime 2004/05
Source: Home Office
Figures relate to England & Wales

What would you expect in a country with a no guns law

[Highwayman]

In some places in Europe it’s common for street gangs to carry trained attack animals. There’s one species of monkey that’s practically viscous and sometimes snakes are also used.

Briton also has strict laws on self-defense. Example; if you are attacked by someone with a 4 inch knife and you defend yourself with a 5 inch knife you are in deep trouble for responding with more force than your attacker. God help you if you use a gun for self-defense. Normally that gets you a life sentence.

They also compile crime statistics differently then we do in a manner that reflects a lower crime rate.

[TexKan]

I hate knives - they are hideous weapons. At least a gun will do the job - quickly. Knives are a painful angonizing way to die. I can't even imagin snakes and monkeys............ idiots. If they did that here - they'd need a guard on the knife box - the little gang bangers would have that ripped off in no time.....

[Highwayman]

For anyone wondering what else there is to ban in jolly old England…….

Pub glass ban faces legal fight

A legal challenge has been raised against plans to for a total ban on glasses in Glasgow's pubs and clubs.

The Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) has lodged papers at the Court of Session opposing the enforced use of toughened or plastic glasses.

The licensing board agreed on the ban, which will be rolled out in January, to reduce injuries from violence.

Glass was banned in pubs and clubs with late night entertainment licences earlier this year……

"Given the clearly demonstrable success of the policy in relation to entertainment licences, it is astonishing that anyone in the 21st century should seek to place the protection of glass receptacles ahead of the safety of their patrons."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/s...st/5037322.stm