I think excessive media coverage of rising knife crime might actually be encouraging attention-seekers to carry on stabbing. Maybe twisted individuals get a kick out of seeing the results of their appalling acts on television or splashed across newspapers?
Publicity should be minimal, with no names or actual locations revealed, no interviews with shocked relatives, neighbours and friends. For example, the media should simply disclose the following information: "A man was stabbed in (name of town or city) yesterday. Two suspects are being questioned" and later: "A man was jailed for the so-and-so stabbing." Such an approach may help greatly in reducing knife crime, hopefully eradicating its dreadful surge completely.
Rudy Otter
By email
