We understand from media reports that knife crime in this country is again on the rise. Two young men were stabbed to death in London within the space of just over an hour last week.
So far, in the first three months of this year, 50 people have lost their life through knife crime. The worrying figures published indicate that the number of knife and gun crime offences went up by an alrming rate last year.
There was a rise of 23% in knife crime in the capital meaning a higher murder rate than New York. Upto September last year, the incidence was 12,980 in London and 37,443 in the UK. Knife crime in the UK has overtaken the gun culture in America.
Thank God the acid attacks which were more prevelant last year are in the wane after severe punishments were meted out to the culprits. Would similar harsh punishments for knife crime make any difference?
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. However, the poor victims of knife crime would probably live the rest of their life on a knife edge.
Dinesh Sheth
Newbury Park, Ilford
