We understand from media reports that knife crime in this country is on the increase. The figures recently made available indicate that knife deaths among children and teenagers are set to go up again this year. They also indicate that knife deaths are a phenomenon among many black teenagers. The worrying figures published indicate that the number of knife crime offences went up by an alarming rate last year. There have been a total of 18 fatal stabbings involving teenagers this year in London alone. Many campaigns have been launched to tackle this “dispicable” acts which have claimed large number of lives.
Imagine yourself being confronted by man weilding a knife and threatening to harm you. It must be a very frightening experience. People who are victims would probably live the rest of their lives on a knife edge, being jittery and afraid to go out any time of day or night. It has been suggested by some that increased jail sentences for the culprits may be an answer. But others argue that prison sentences on their own are not effective.
The person will come out of jail more hardened criminal and would be carrying a chip on his shoulder. What needs to change is the person or the environment they are brought up in. The culprits and their victims need more support from their peers. However, the poor victims of crime would probably live the rest of their life on a knife edge.
Dinesh Sheth
Newbury Park, Ilford
