We understand from media reports that knife crime in this country is again on the increase. The Office for National Statistics said that police records show that knife crimes have gone up to 39,332, the highest level ever recorded in London. That is an annual increase of 12% this year to June. They also indicate that knife deaths are phenomenon among many black teenagers.
The worrying figures published indicate that the number of knife crime offences went up by alarming rate this year. 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 the 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
