People who carry knives will face prison sentences of up to three months, after a last minute U-turn on controversial guidance to magistrates.
The independent Sentencing Guidelines Council, widely criticised for suggesting the starting point for those caught in possession of a blade in public should be a fine or community service, has changed tack just before its advice was due to come into force tomorrow.
For a first-time adult offender pleading not guilty, that would mean 12 weeks in prison. For using a knife in so-called dangerous circumstances, such as to threaten or intimidate, defendants should be referred to the crown court where sentences could be six months or more.
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
Woman stabbed to death in south London
A 23yr old woman was stabbed in Battersea at about 9.20pm yesterday and died in hospital.
It is believed the woman, from nearby Wandsworth, knew her attacker, who fled on foot.
Although investigators are keeping an open mind about the motives behind the stabbing, a spokesman for the Metropolitan police said it "appeared to be some sort of domestic [argument]".
It is believed the woman, from nearby Wandsworth, knew her attacker, who fled on foot.
Although investigators are keeping an open mind about the motives behind the stabbing, a spokesman for the Metropolitan police said it "appeared to be some sort of domestic [argument]".
Crime: Woman killed hours after visit from police
Sussex police may be investigated over the murder of a young woman who was stabbed to death in a seaside resort hours after being visited by officers. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) last night confirmed it was assessing police involvement in the case of Cassandra Hasonvic, 24, who was killed in her home in Bognor Regis yesterday.
Her husband, Hajrudin Hasonvic, 32, of Eastney, Hampshire, has been charged with her murder and was due to appear before magistrates in Chichester today.
"We are not looking into the murder itself but police contact with the victim before the incident. It appears to be a domestic related incident and we have deployed a senior investigator and expect to take a decision soon."
The incident follows the murder in June of Aresema Dawit, 15, who was stabbed to death in a south London lift five weeks after Southwark police launched an investigation into complaints that she was being stalked and had received death threats.
Thomas Nugusse, 21, of Ilford, Essex, has been charged with her murder.
Her husband, Hajrudin Hasonvic, 32, of Eastney, Hampshire, has been charged with her murder and was due to appear before magistrates in Chichester today.
"We are not looking into the murder itself but police contact with the victim before the incident. It appears to be a domestic related incident and we have deployed a senior investigator and expect to take a decision soon."
The incident follows the murder in June of Aresema Dawit, 15, who was stabbed to death in a south London lift five weeks after Southwark police launched an investigation into complaints that she was being stalked and had received death threats.
Thomas Nugusse, 21, of Ilford, Essex, has been charged with her murder.
Facebook 'stabbing' game removed
A Facebook game that lets users 'shank' each other - street slang for stabbing - has been removed following complaints from anti-knife crime campaigners.
Although the application consists of mostly humorous actions, some of the options, such as smack, slap and shank, have darker connotations.
When the knife icon is sent to a Facebook friend they receive a message saying that they have been "shanked".
The application, made by US firm Slide for Facebook users, has now been removed from the social networking website.
Although the application consists of mostly humorous actions, some of the options, such as smack, slap and shank, have darker connotations.
When the knife icon is sent to a Facebook friend they receive a message saying that they have been "shanked".
The application, made by US firm Slide for Facebook users, has now been removed from the social networking website.
Punishment won't get rid of knife crime
The government's response to knife-crime hysteria, the youth crime action plan, is an expensive package of measures, almost exclusively punitive in nature. No surprises there. And let's not be surprised when it all ends in failure. When I've criticised the punitive approach before, people have often said: "OK, but why don't you come up with some solutions?" All right, then. Here are some solutions to the problems of knife crime on our streets. And you will not read the word "punishment" here.
ex-offenders & a few still serving were asked - "if knowing before the offence the length of sentence they would eventually receive would it have deterred them from committing the crime. **All said no. Punishment was not a deterrent.
They were asked to look at their crimes and suggest some causes:
>Early years spent in poverty
>Drug abusing parents
>Exposure to mental, physical or sexual abuse
Other factors include:
>mental health problems
>educational difficulties
>Drug and alcohol use
........and you get a picture of how the Knife-Wielding Hoodies Who Roam Our Streets were formed.
Tackling knife crime means identifiying very young children who are at risk and putting them on an intensive, long-term programme of psychological and social support that will enable them to deal with their own families and the world. Detractors shout that labelling youngsters in this way at such an early age could affect them for life. I say they'll be affected for life if we don't.
And the knife-wielders, that small group of unhappy, dyfunctional youths? We should be ashamed that we turned them out of the house. Any functioning family always involves the kids in its decision-making. It's time to bring them back round the table. What do they want and need? Support, guidance, kindness, jobs, schools that address their needs or some positive role models? Ask them. You will get some surprising and enlightening answers.
When I ask kids about what would help them most, they nearly always say: "Get me out of here." They want to change, but don't know how to.
· Mark Johnson, author of Wasted
ex-offenders & a few still serving were asked - "if knowing before the offence the length of sentence they would eventually receive would it have deterred them from committing the crime. **All said no. Punishment was not a deterrent.
They were asked to look at their crimes and suggest some causes:
>Early years spent in poverty
>Drug abusing parents
>Exposure to mental, physical or sexual abuse
Other factors include:
>mental health problems
>educational difficulties
>Drug and alcohol use
........and you get a picture of how the Knife-Wielding Hoodies Who Roam Our Streets were formed.
Tackling knife crime means identifiying very young children who are at risk and putting them on an intensive, long-term programme of psychological and social support that will enable them to deal with their own families and the world. Detractors shout that labelling youngsters in this way at such an early age could affect them for life. I say they'll be affected for life if we don't.
And the knife-wielders, that small group of unhappy, dyfunctional youths? We should be ashamed that we turned them out of the house. Any functioning family always involves the kids in its decision-making. It's time to bring them back round the table. What do they want and need? Support, guidance, kindness, jobs, schools that address their needs or some positive role models? Ask them. You will get some surprising and enlightening answers.
When I ask kids about what would help them most, they nearly always say: "Get me out of here." They want to change, but don't know how to.
· Mark Johnson, author of Wasted
One in five young men have faced knife threats, survey finds
One in five young men have been threatened with a knife and almost half know someone it has happened to, a survey reveals today.
The poll of 1,000 young people gives a bleak impression of increasing street violence and fear, which has left 78% of those questioned afraid to walk the streets.
After a spate of fatal stabbings, many felt pressured to carry a weapon (15%) and more than a quarter (27%) knew at least one person their age who did so. Many (11%) had been asked to join a gang.
But almost two-thirds of the young people polled said they feel the media misrepresents the issues facing young people.
The poll of 1,000 young people gives a bleak impression of increasing street violence and fear, which has left 78% of those questioned afraid to walk the streets.
After a spate of fatal stabbings, many felt pressured to carry a weapon (15%) and more than a quarter (27%) knew at least one person their age who did so. Many (11%) had been asked to join a gang.
But almost two-thirds of the young people polled said they feel the media misrepresents the issues facing young people.
Police make arrest after 21st London teenage killing of the year
Frederick Moody, an 18-year-old Kingston College student, became the 21st teenager to die in a violent attack this year.
He was found by police with a blade wound to his stomach in Guildford Road, south Lambeth, after officers were called to an assault in progress just after 7pm last night.
He was pronounced dead in hospital at 8.15pm.
Police say up to eight men wearing hooded tops, some with bikes, were involved in the attack. It is rumoured a play water fight in the street may have led to a row that sparked the stabbing.
The 16-year-old suspect was arrested earlier this morning at his home in nearby Brixton.
The funeral of another London teenage stab victim, 16-year-old Ben Kinsella, is taking place today.
He was found by police with a blade wound to his stomach in Guildford Road, south Lambeth, after officers were called to an assault in progress just after 7pm last night.
He was pronounced dead in hospital at 8.15pm.
Police say up to eight men wearing hooded tops, some with bikes, were involved in the attack. It is rumoured a play water fight in the street may have led to a row that sparked the stabbing.
The 16-year-old suspect was arrested earlier this morning at his home in nearby Brixton.
The funeral of another London teenage stab victim, 16-year-old Ben Kinsella, is taking place today.
Stab victim Ben Kinsella celebrated at fancy dress funeral
Dozens of teenagers dressed in colourful wigs, big sunglasses and T-shirts with anti-knife slogans as they attended the funeral of Ben Kinsella - as they celebrated the life of the 16-year-old, who died after being stabbed in north London during a night out on June 29.
More than 1,000 people packed St John the Evangelist Roman Catholic church in Islington, north London, for the service. They included former EastEnders cast members Michelle Ryan, Gillian Taylforth and James Alexandrou, current stars of the soap Charlie G Hawkins and Joe Swash, and the Birds Of A Feather actor Linda Robson, whose 16-year-old son, Louis, was with Kinsella as he died.
Before the service, his sister, Brooke Kinsella, the former EastEnders actor, pleaded for others to learn from his death and to lay down their weapons. The 24-year-old said: "Enough is enough. Do something now to make sure your brother, sister, son, or best friend's life doesn't end the same awful way.
"The problem is far worse than imagined. It's why we have to act so quickly. We have to inform youngsters and parents of the brutal truth and work hard, right now, to get rid of this menace."
A poem was written shortly before his death it read: "So what comes next for me? God knows. I don't. This is my home now and I've never felt better. I'm not scared any more. There's no weight on my shoulders, no struggle. Let's just see what a future here brings. But at the moment, this is living. Not death."
Kinsella was stabbed several times in York Way, Islington, after a fight in a bar spilled out on to the streets.
Three teenagers have been charged with his murder. Juress Kika, 18, Michael Alleyne, 18, and Jade Braithwaite, 19, have been remanded in custody until October 13.
More than 1,000 people packed St John the Evangelist Roman Catholic church in Islington, north London, for the service. They included former EastEnders cast members Michelle Ryan, Gillian Taylforth and James Alexandrou, current stars of the soap Charlie G Hawkins and Joe Swash, and the Birds Of A Feather actor Linda Robson, whose 16-year-old son, Louis, was with Kinsella as he died.
Before the service, his sister, Brooke Kinsella, the former EastEnders actor, pleaded for others to learn from his death and to lay down their weapons. The 24-year-old said: "Enough is enough. Do something now to make sure your brother, sister, son, or best friend's life doesn't end the same awful way.
"The problem is far worse than imagined. It's why we have to act so quickly. We have to inform youngsters and parents of the brutal truth and work hard, right now, to get rid of this menace."
A poem was written shortly before his death it read: "So what comes next for me? God knows. I don't. This is my home now and I've never felt better. I'm not scared any more. There's no weight on my shoulders, no struggle. Let's just see what a future here brings. But at the moment, this is living. Not death."
Kinsella was stabbed several times in York Way, Islington, after a fight in a bar spilled out on to the streets.
Three teenagers have been charged with his murder. Juress Kika, 18, Michael Alleyne, 18, and Jade Braithwaite, 19, have been remanded in custody until October 13.
Knife crime: Killer jailed for life for stabbing 17-year-old
Nigerian-born Chester Dauda, 21, has been jailed for life after he stabbed Stephen Boachie in the heart outside a pub in Barking in the early hours of January 1 2007, after a scuffle with the victim.
Boachie was the first of 27 London teenagers to be murdered in 2007.
Judge Martin Stephens QC said he must serve at least 14 years and recommended his deportation at the end of the jail term.
Dauda, who moved to Britain in 2004, was pulled off by friends but later fetched a knife from a car. On his return he pushed the teenager on to a car bonnet and stabbed him twice, in the stomach and chest. Initially Dauda told police he had been at Barking mosque and a friend's house on the night of the murder.
Judge Stephens added: "This was a deliberate act of outrageous violence committed on the victim aged but 17. Whatever he may have said or done to you earlier, there can't be the slightest excuse for what you did."
Boachie was the first of 27 London teenagers to be murdered in 2007.
Judge Martin Stephens QC said he must serve at least 14 years and recommended his deportation at the end of the jail term.
Dauda, who moved to Britain in 2004, was pulled off by friends but later fetched a knife from a car. On his return he pushed the teenager on to a car bonnet and stabbed him twice, in the stomach and chest. Initially Dauda told police he had been at Barking mosque and a friend's house on the night of the murder.
Judge Stephens added: "This was a deliberate act of outrageous violence committed on the victim aged but 17. Whatever he may have said or done to you earlier, there can't be the slightest excuse for what you did."
Most knife crime confined to big cities
More than 55% of knife and gun crime attacks in the last year were concentrated in inner city areas of London, Birmingham and Manchester, according to Home Office statistics published yesterday.
STATISTICS -knife or other sharp instrument, such as a broken bottle - 22,151 attacks in the last year.
-close to one in five of all violent attacks.
The annual murder rate was 784 people killed, up from 759 the previous year but below the 1,047 recorded six years ago.
But these figures are not broken down by type of death, so cannot used to determine whether fatal stabbings have played a greater or lesser role than usual. In past years they have accounted for about one third of all murders.
The 22,151 serious violent offences in which a knife was involved was the first time that such figures were collected and so it is not possible to determine a national trend. This figure excludes the number of offenders found in possession of a knife.
STATISTICS -knife or other sharp instrument, such as a broken bottle - 22,151 attacks in the last year.
-close to one in five of all violent attacks.
The annual murder rate was 784 people killed, up from 759 the previous year but below the 1,047 recorded six years ago.
But these figures are not broken down by type of death, so cannot used to determine whether fatal stabbings have played a greater or lesser role than usual. In past years they have accounted for about one third of all murders.
The 22,151 serious violent offences in which a knife was involved was the first time that such figures were collected and so it is not possible to determine a national trend. This figure excludes the number of offenders found in possession of a knife.
Knife Crime: Teenager stabbed to death in London
A male believed to be in his late teens was stabbed to death in Guilford Road, Lambeth, SW London.
The police responded to reports of an assult in progress, and found the victim suffering from one or more stab wounds to the stomach.
He was taken to hospital but pronounced dead at 8.15pm.
The 21st teenager to die violently in the capital this year.
The police responded to reports of an assult in progress, and found the victim suffering from one or more stab wounds to the stomach.
He was taken to hospital but pronounced dead at 8.15pm.
The 21st teenager to die violently in the capital this year.
Boris Johnson: We need to deglamorise knife crime
Gang members involved in knife crime should be seen as "moronic" rather than as glamorous figures like Shakespeare's Mercutio, Boris Johnson said today.
Giving evidence to the Commons home affairs committee, Johnson said: "My heart sinks when I hear and read of some of the language used to describe some of the victims of knife crime by other members of gangs.
"This stuff about 'You were a good soldier' or 'Fallen soldier'; we do need as repeatedly as possible as a society to detonate the myth that there is anything romantic or glamorous about these tragic episodes."
He added: "We need to deglamorise knife crime and make clear to people that this is moronic and wasteful.
"This is not the death of Mercutio taking place on the streets of London."
Asked to explain the reference to Romeo and Juliet, Johnson, who is often fond of quoting from the classics, said: "It is a guy called Mercutio who is killed in a gang fight.
"It is worth studying the text because it does teach you something about the bogus atmosphere of glamour that can surround these gangs and the sort of romantic, sentimental feelings that can start to occur with knife crime and gang culture generally."
Johnson said figures respected by young people, such as Manchester United footballer Rio Ferdinand, should be recruited to "speak against the evils of carrying knives".
Giving evidence to the Commons home affairs committee, Johnson said: "My heart sinks when I hear and read of some of the language used to describe some of the victims of knife crime by other members of gangs.
"This stuff about 'You were a good soldier' or 'Fallen soldier'; we do need as repeatedly as possible as a society to detonate the myth that there is anything romantic or glamorous about these tragic episodes."
He added: "We need to deglamorise knife crime and make clear to people that this is moronic and wasteful.
"This is not the death of Mercutio taking place on the streets of London."
Asked to explain the reference to Romeo and Juliet, Johnson, who is often fond of quoting from the classics, said: "It is a guy called Mercutio who is killed in a gang fight.
"It is worth studying the text because it does teach you something about the bogus atmosphere of glamour that can surround these gangs and the sort of romantic, sentimental feelings that can start to occur with knife crime and gang culture generally."
Johnson said figures respected by young people, such as Manchester United footballer Rio Ferdinand, should be recruited to "speak against the evils of carrying knives".
Home secretary blames media for confusion over knife criminals' visits to victims in A&E
· Smith backtracks as No 10 proposals overshadowed
· PM to publish £100m family intervention plans
Gordon Brown's initiative of a huge expansion of family intervention projects to reduce youth crime was overshadowed yesterday when Jacqui Smith, the home secretary, was forced to backtrack on widely ridiculed plans to order perpetrators of knife crime to visit their victims in hospital.
Smith said the proposal had been misinterpreted by the media, but in at least two broadcast interviews on Sunday she failed to clarify her plans.
Dominic Grieve, the shadow home secretary, accused her of a U-turn and gimmickry. "This is yet another government announcement that has been conjured up in three days and collapsed in three hours," he said.
The Home Office insisted Smith had never advocated taking knife criminals to see their victims in hospital, a proposal that would have echoes of Tony Blair's plan for forcing yobs to march to cashpoints to pay fines.
In the Commons, Smith said: "I never said, and nor would it be sensible, for young people to be trailed through A&E wards while people were being served."
In two interviews including one with Adam Boulton for Sky news she was asked "One of those proposals is that people caught carrying knives should be taken to see people in hospital that have been stabbed or to meet the families of victims. Is that correct?" Smith replied: "It is."
At his monthly press conference, Brown said: "Too many people, young and old, do not feel safe in the streets, and sometimes even in their homes, as a result of the behaviour of a minority."
>Families in the worst trouble would sometimes be required to live in residential accommodation while they try to resolve their chaotic lives. Families that refuse could be evicted if they lived in social housing, Brown said.
>Brown also added: "We need to make it absolutely clear to everyone, especially young people, that in our country there are boundaries of acceptable behaviour. It is completely unacceptable to carry a knife".
>"Communities ... should have a role in deciding what they should do, cleaning up parks or scrubbing graffiti, and what time they should do it, such as cleaning the streets on Friday and Saturday night."
>He said community payback should be "tough, visible and effective", but he did not advocate that those undertaking it wear uniforms, as proposed by Casey.
· PM to publish £100m family intervention plans
Gordon Brown's initiative of a huge expansion of family intervention projects to reduce youth crime was overshadowed yesterday when Jacqui Smith, the home secretary, was forced to backtrack on widely ridiculed plans to order perpetrators of knife crime to visit their victims in hospital.
Smith said the proposal had been misinterpreted by the media, but in at least two broadcast interviews on Sunday she failed to clarify her plans.
Dominic Grieve, the shadow home secretary, accused her of a U-turn and gimmickry. "This is yet another government announcement that has been conjured up in three days and collapsed in three hours," he said.
The Home Office insisted Smith had never advocated taking knife criminals to see their victims in hospital, a proposal that would have echoes of Tony Blair's plan for forcing yobs to march to cashpoints to pay fines.
In the Commons, Smith said: "I never said, and nor would it be sensible, for young people to be trailed through A&E wards while people were being served."
In two interviews including one with Adam Boulton for Sky news she was asked "One of those proposals is that people caught carrying knives should be taken to see people in hospital that have been stabbed or to meet the families of victims. Is that correct?" Smith replied: "It is."
At his monthly press conference, Brown said: "Too many people, young and old, do not feel safe in the streets, and sometimes even in their homes, as a result of the behaviour of a minority."
>Families in the worst trouble would sometimes be required to live in residential accommodation while they try to resolve their chaotic lives. Families that refuse could be evicted if they lived in social housing, Brown said.
>Brown also added: "We need to make it absolutely clear to everyone, especially young people, that in our country there are boundaries of acceptable behaviour. It is completely unacceptable to carry a knife".
>"Communities ... should have a role in deciding what they should do, cleaning up parks or scrubbing graffiti, and what time they should do it, such as cleaning the streets on Friday and Saturday night."
>He said community payback should be "tough, visible and effective", but he did not advocate that those undertaking it wear uniforms, as proposed by Casey.
T in the Park: Music fan was stabbed 11 times
A music fan who was stabbed 11 times in an attack at a rock festival was nearly killed for trying to help a female friend caught up in a row with two men.
Tayside police said the 22-year-old man suffered eight stab wounds to the body and three to his head in an attack which is being treated as attempted murder. It is understood he tried to help his friend after she began arguing with two men who were urinating on her tent shortly after midnight on Saturday at the T in the Park festival in Kinross.
Eyewitnesses said he staggered through one of the campsites looking for help. He is now stable at Ninewells hospital in Dundee after treatment at the festival.
The victim, believed to be from Glasgow, was interviewed by detectives yesterday and police believe they have recovered useful scientific and eyewitness evidence from the scene and his clothing.
Tayside police said the 22-year-old man suffered eight stab wounds to the body and three to his head in an attack which is being treated as attempted murder. It is understood he tried to help his friend after she began arguing with two men who were urinating on her tent shortly after midnight on Saturday at the T in the Park festival in Kinross.
Eyewitnesses said he staggered through one of the campsites looking for help. He is now stable at Ninewells hospital in Dundee after treatment at the festival.
The victim, believed to be from Glasgow, was interviewed by detectives yesterday and police believe they have recovered useful scientific and eyewitness evidence from the scene and his clothing.
French student murders: second man in court
Daniel Sonnex, 23, of Etta Street, Deptford, south-east London, appeared in court and was charged with the killing of French students Gabriel Ferez and Laurent Bonomo, both 23, on June 29 this year.
Ferez and Bonomo were tied up and repeatedly stabbed in the head, neck and torso before the bedsit was set alight. Bonomo had been stabbed 196 times and Ferez 47 times.
There was no application for bail and one of the magistrates, Yvonne Powell, told Sonnex he would be remanded in custody until he appears at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing on October 20.
Nigel Farmer, 33, of no fixed address, has already been charged with the murders. Both men will face trial at the Old Bailey and also face charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
A 35-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman arrested at an address in Streatham, south London, on Wednesday have been bailed to return on dates in July and August respectively, pending further inquiries.
Both Gabriel Ferez and Laurent Bonomo were nearing the end of a three-month research placement studying DNA at Imperial College London when they were murdered.
Ferez and Bonomo were tied up and repeatedly stabbed in the head, neck and torso before the bedsit was set alight. Bonomo had been stabbed 196 times and Ferez 47 times.
There was no application for bail and one of the magistrates, Yvonne Powell, told Sonnex he would be remanded in custody until he appears at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing on October 20.
Nigel Farmer, 33, of no fixed address, has already been charged with the murders. Both men will face trial at the Old Bailey and also face charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
A 35-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman arrested at an address in Streatham, south London, on Wednesday have been bailed to return on dates in July and August respectively, pending further inquiries.
Both Gabriel Ferez and Laurent Bonomo were nearing the end of a three-month research placement studying DNA at Imperial College London when they were murdered.
Tackling knife crime: different approaches
One of the biggest schemes to combat knife crime is Operation Blunt, implemented by the Metropolitan police in November 2004 across 12 London boroughs. According to Met figures, the scheme led to a reduction in the number of knife-enabled offences soon after its launch. As a result of this success, Operation Blunt was rolled out across 32 boroughs in December 2005, marking the first time that every London borough had simultaneously targeted knife crime.
The policy included:
>educational programmes
>Knife search operations - metal detector arches & "dispersal zones"
>High visibility policing was increased
>Test purchases - where shops were checked for illegal knife sales
The operation also worked collaboratively with the British transport police and Transport for London to prevent people travelling on public transport with offensive weapons.
In May this year, the Met launched Operation Blunt Two – again using special search powers in high-risk areas and airport-style metal detectors. The home secretary, Jacqui Smith, announced a £5m package to tackle violent crime. Since then, 27,000 people have been searched, 1,200 arrested and 500 knives seized. Of those arrested, 95% have since been charged with weapons offences, the Met said.
DAMILOLA TAYLOR TRUST
Operation Blunt followed work done by the Damilola Taylor Trust, launched in November 2001 on the first anniversary of the death of the 11-year-old Nigerian boy after which it is named.
The trust tackles problem cycles facing todays youth such as:
>School expulsion
>Learning and behavioural difficulties
>drug and alcohol abuse
>Poor parenting
The Damilola Taylor centre, in Peckham, provides facilities such as football, dance, discussion forums and yoga to help to enfranchise young people and encourage them to pursue successful careers. The trust also helps support victims of crime.
CHICAGOS CEASEFIRE SCHEME
Some youth charities are starting to look to the US for ways to deal with knife crime. Some parts of America suffer far greater levels of gang-related violence than does the UK.
Gary Slutkin a doctor, has an approach which involves the stabbing "epidemic" as – an epidemic and a disease that can be treated.
His scheme, CeaseFire, launched in 1995, has been highly successful. While it is focused primarily on gun violence, the biggest problem in areas such as Chicago and Boston, Slutkin says the type of weapon is immaterial and the CeaseFire principles can be applied to all violent disputes on city streets.
The approach has two stages:
1st - as if fighting a contagious disease, CeaseFire locates the people who are the most "infectious" in spreading violence and hopes thereby to prevent its transmission.
2nd - longer-term step is likened to treating Aids among intravenous drug users and sexually promiscuous groups in that it tries to change the behaviour of whole groups – mainly youth gangs – so that stabbings become unacceptable.
The operation centres around the use of "credible messengers" to stop the transmission of violence. Partly the approach involves using infamous former gang members with status and knowledge of street gangs to influence youngsters where outreach workers and police might not be able to.
>In addition, "interrupters", as the programme calls them, spend a lot of time rushing to hospitals following stabbings to catch family and friends of a victim and prevent retaliation.
A three-year, $1m (£500,000) study by the US justice department found that six out of the seven neighbourhoods in which CeaseFire operated saw a 17-24% reduction in gun violence. In the first year of CeaseFire's activities in Chicago, shootings dropped by 67%.
ZERO TOLERANCE IN NEW YORK
Crime in New York City spiked in the 1980s, hitting a peak by 1990. More than 2,000 murders were fuelled by the crack epidemic that hit the city. During the administrations of Mayors Rudolph Guiliani and Michael Bloomberg, shootings and stabbings have fallen markedly. Rates of both petty and serious crime fell significantly and murders are now under 500 a year.
Some say its the New York police adopting the CompStat system which involves:
>executives attending weekly meetings with local precinct commanders to discuss policing strategies and improving quality of life in locally.
"Broken windows" policing derives from the criminology and urban sociology theories of George Kelling and Catherine Coles, from their book published in 1996. The authors compared successful crime-fighting to repairing broken windows, saying there was a tendency for vandals to do further damage if crime was left untreated.
>Giuliani's wove this approach into his "zero tolerance" policy. Police strictly enforced relatively minor laws to preempt more serious crime. Subway fare evaders were arrested, drinking and urinating on the street prevented and squeegee merchants clamped down upon.
Critics say Giuliani's policies in fact had little effect and that crime mainly fell because of the increase in policenumbers. New York now has the lowest crime rate among the 10 largest cities in the US.
The policy included:
>educational programmes
>Knife search operations - metal detector arches & "dispersal zones"
>High visibility policing was increased
>Test purchases - where shops were checked for illegal knife sales
The operation also worked collaboratively with the British transport police and Transport for London to prevent people travelling on public transport with offensive weapons.
In May this year, the Met launched Operation Blunt Two – again using special search powers in high-risk areas and airport-style metal detectors. The home secretary, Jacqui Smith, announced a £5m package to tackle violent crime. Since then, 27,000 people have been searched, 1,200 arrested and 500 knives seized. Of those arrested, 95% have since been charged with weapons offences, the Met said.
DAMILOLA TAYLOR TRUST
Operation Blunt followed work done by the Damilola Taylor Trust, launched in November 2001 on the first anniversary of the death of the 11-year-old Nigerian boy after which it is named.
The trust tackles problem cycles facing todays youth such as:
>School expulsion
>Learning and behavioural difficulties
>drug and alcohol abuse
>Poor parenting
The Damilola Taylor centre, in Peckham, provides facilities such as football, dance, discussion forums and yoga to help to enfranchise young people and encourage them to pursue successful careers. The trust also helps support victims of crime.
CHICAGOS CEASEFIRE SCHEME
Some youth charities are starting to look to the US for ways to deal with knife crime. Some parts of America suffer far greater levels of gang-related violence than does the UK.
Gary Slutkin a doctor, has an approach which involves the stabbing "epidemic" as – an epidemic and a disease that can be treated.
His scheme, CeaseFire, launched in 1995, has been highly successful. While it is focused primarily on gun violence, the biggest problem in areas such as Chicago and Boston, Slutkin says the type of weapon is immaterial and the CeaseFire principles can be applied to all violent disputes on city streets.
The approach has two stages:
1st - as if fighting a contagious disease, CeaseFire locates the people who are the most "infectious" in spreading violence and hopes thereby to prevent its transmission.
2nd - longer-term step is likened to treating Aids among intravenous drug users and sexually promiscuous groups in that it tries to change the behaviour of whole groups – mainly youth gangs – so that stabbings become unacceptable.
The operation centres around the use of "credible messengers" to stop the transmission of violence. Partly the approach involves using infamous former gang members with status and knowledge of street gangs to influence youngsters where outreach workers and police might not be able to.
>In addition, "interrupters", as the programme calls them, spend a lot of time rushing to hospitals following stabbings to catch family and friends of a victim and prevent retaliation.
A three-year, $1m (£500,000) study by the US justice department found that six out of the seven neighbourhoods in which CeaseFire operated saw a 17-24% reduction in gun violence. In the first year of CeaseFire's activities in Chicago, shootings dropped by 67%.
ZERO TOLERANCE IN NEW YORK
Crime in New York City spiked in the 1980s, hitting a peak by 1990. More than 2,000 murders were fuelled by the crack epidemic that hit the city. During the administrations of Mayors Rudolph Guiliani and Michael Bloomberg, shootings and stabbings have fallen markedly. Rates of both petty and serious crime fell significantly and murders are now under 500 a year.
Some say its the New York police adopting the CompStat system which involves:
>executives attending weekly meetings with local precinct commanders to discuss policing strategies and improving quality of life in locally.
"Broken windows" policing derives from the criminology and urban sociology theories of George Kelling and Catherine Coles, from their book published in 1996. The authors compared successful crime-fighting to repairing broken windows, saying there was a tendency for vandals to do further damage if crime was left untreated.
>Giuliani's wove this approach into his "zero tolerance" policy. Police strictly enforced relatively minor laws to preempt more serious crime. Subway fare evaders were arrested, drinking and urinating on the street prevented and squeegee merchants clamped down upon.
Critics say Giuliani's policies in fact had little effect and that crime mainly fell because of the increase in policenumbers. New York now has the lowest crime rate among the 10 largest cities in the US.
Teenagers with knives may have to visit victims in hospital
· Ministers unveil action plan as two die in attacks
· Teachers to be given drugs and alcohol search powers
The children's secretary, Ed Balls suggests: "It will ensure that everyone knows that a teacher's authority in the classroom is unquestionable and teachers are clear about their right to use them."
Jaqui Smith told Sky TV yesturday: "I'm very keen we make people face up to the consequences of their actions," following her announcements that she wants teenagers arrested for carrying knives should be forced to confront the consequences of fights by visiting hospital wards and prisons, "It's a practical and tough approach to make young people understand the implications of carrying a knife."
Smith's actions were condemned by Tory spokesman Dominic Grieve, who warned that voters were "sick and tired" of "ill-thought-through, piecemeal announcements and failed initiatives". "Not only would we have tough policing to tackle knife crime on our streets now, but under our plans people convicted of knife crime would automatically face the presumption of jail," he said.
The Lib Dem spokesman, Chris Huhne, called the hospital visit plan a "half-baked" response from a minister who was denying a problem existed barely a month ago.
· Teachers to be given drugs and alcohol search powers
The children's secretary, Ed Balls suggests: "It will ensure that everyone knows that a teacher's authority in the classroom is unquestionable and teachers are clear about their right to use them."
Jaqui Smith told Sky TV yesturday: "I'm very keen we make people face up to the consequences of their actions," following her announcements that she wants teenagers arrested for carrying knives should be forced to confront the consequences of fights by visiting hospital wards and prisons, "It's a practical and tough approach to make young people understand the implications of carrying a knife."
Smith's actions were condemned by Tory spokesman Dominic Grieve, who warned that voters were "sick and tired" of "ill-thought-through, piecemeal announcements and failed initiatives". "Not only would we have tough policing to tackle knife crime on our streets now, but under our plans people convicted of knife crime would automatically face the presumption of jail," he said.
The Lib Dem spokesman, Chris Huhne, called the hospital visit plan a "half-baked" response from a minister who was denying a problem existed barely a month ago.
Politicians can't afford to think long term
Earlier this year, the Home Office mantra when confronted with concerns about knife crime was that while every death was a tragedy, violent crime had "fallen steadily".
As the number of deaths have increased, to maintain this attitude would appear to be insensitive.
Over the past weekend alone, two men were stabbed and at least another six required hospital treatment.
In 24 hours last week, four people were stabbed to death in London, including a 19-year-old man who became the 20th teenager to die in a violent attack in London this year.
The number of teenagers murdered in the capital in the first six months of the year was 17 - exactly the same number as last year.
The latest survey revealed that there were 169,000 violent incidents involving knives in 2005-06, around half the 340,000 in 1995, although the number has been increasing since 2003–4. But under-16s are not included in the survey, and the government is reviewing that potentially significant anomaly.
Other figures suggest knife crime may be on the increase. Department of Health statistics show that almost 14,000 people were treated in hospital for stab wounds last year (446 of them aged 14 and under) - an increase of nearly 20% in five years.
Since Labour came to power in 1997, the number of people prosecuted for possessing knives has increased by 72%, to 7,699 in 2006.
David Wilson, a criminologist from Birmingham City University believes that there are two reasons for youths carrying knives. One is that it makes them "feel grown up and manly" but the other is that they are "scared".
Wilson says young people have reacted to a world in which adults demonise young people outside their own families – "they are all chavs and hoodies" – and no longer trust adults to protect them.
He also suggests that the solutions are to think longer term - how to deal with a generation who no longer trust adults?
Also adding "Politicians can never afford to think longer term," he said. "They want to be seen taking action, and taking action quickly."
As the number of deaths have increased, to maintain this attitude would appear to be insensitive.
Over the past weekend alone, two men were stabbed and at least another six required hospital treatment.
In 24 hours last week, four people were stabbed to death in London, including a 19-year-old man who became the 20th teenager to die in a violent attack in London this year.
The number of teenagers murdered in the capital in the first six months of the year was 17 - exactly the same number as last year.
The latest survey revealed that there were 169,000 violent incidents involving knives in 2005-06, around half the 340,000 in 1995, although the number has been increasing since 2003–4. But under-16s are not included in the survey, and the government is reviewing that potentially significant anomaly.
Other figures suggest knife crime may be on the increase. Department of Health statistics show that almost 14,000 people were treated in hospital for stab wounds last year (446 of them aged 14 and under) - an increase of nearly 20% in five years.
Since Labour came to power in 1997, the number of people prosecuted for possessing knives has increased by 72%, to 7,699 in 2006.
David Wilson, a criminologist from Birmingham City University believes that there are two reasons for youths carrying knives. One is that it makes them "feel grown up and manly" but the other is that they are "scared".
Wilson says young people have reacted to a world in which adults demonise young people outside their own families – "they are all chavs and hoodies" – and no longer trust adults to protect them.
He also suggests that the solutions are to think longer term - how to deal with a generation who no longer trust adults?
Also adding "Politicians can never afford to think longer term," he said. "They want to be seen taking action, and taking action quickly."
Knife gangs forced to meet families of stab victims
The government is set to impose hard community sentences on youths carrying knives, but critics say only prison can tackle the epidemic of violence.
Teenagers caught with knives will be forced to tour casualty units and meet the relatives of stabbing victims, under government plans to combat the glorification of weapons within gangs.
The move to confront those on the verge of more serious offending with the horrific consequences of knife culture comes as new figures show the number of convictions for carrying a knife in schools rose sixfold in a decade, with the vast majority of offenders not jailed.
Under plans to be unveiled by Gordon Brown on Tuesday, young offenders convicted of all crimes will be forced to carry out community service on Friday and Saturday nights, to keep them out of trouble, while pubs and clubs will be fast-tracked for closure if searches reveal their customers routinely carry knives. Parents will face tougher intervention, including being made to attend their children's court cases, and teenagers on the streets late at night will be taken home by police if they are considered in danger.
Chief constables already have powers to press for the closure of pubs involved in violence, although Smith is writing to all 42 forces in England and Wales asking them to exercise those powers. And while trading standards officers will carry out 'secret shopper' checks on whether retailers sell knives illegally to under-16s, only 71 people have been convicted of under-age knife sales in five years despite previous supposed crackdowns.
The Youth Crime Action Plan to be launched by Smith, Brown, Balls and the Secretary of State for Justice, Jack Straw, will still promote alternatives to custody, such as 'intensive fostering' schemes, where a teenager is placed with foster parents and must behave well in order to earn privileges such as watching television. They will reject calls for an automatic prison sentence for knife possession, with ministers arguing privately that some children carry knives in self-defence because they are frightened by their peers.
Teenagers caught with knives will be forced to tour casualty units and meet the relatives of stabbing victims, under government plans to combat the glorification of weapons within gangs.
The move to confront those on the verge of more serious offending with the horrific consequences of knife culture comes as new figures show the number of convictions for carrying a knife in schools rose sixfold in a decade, with the vast majority of offenders not jailed.
Under plans to be unveiled by Gordon Brown on Tuesday, young offenders convicted of all crimes will be forced to carry out community service on Friday and Saturday nights, to keep them out of trouble, while pubs and clubs will be fast-tracked for closure if searches reveal their customers routinely carry knives. Parents will face tougher intervention, including being made to attend their children's court cases, and teenagers on the streets late at night will be taken home by police if they are considered in danger.
Chief constables already have powers to press for the closure of pubs involved in violence, although Smith is writing to all 42 forces in England and Wales asking them to exercise those powers. And while trading standards officers will carry out 'secret shopper' checks on whether retailers sell knives illegally to under-16s, only 71 people have been convicted of under-age knife sales in five years despite previous supposed crackdowns.
The Youth Crime Action Plan to be launched by Smith, Brown, Balls and the Secretary of State for Justice, Jack Straw, will still promote alternatives to custody, such as 'intensive fostering' schemes, where a teenager is placed with foster parents and must behave well in order to earn privileges such as watching television. They will reject calls for an automatic prison sentence for knife possession, with ministers arguing privately that some children carry knives in self-defence because they are frightened by their peers.
Man dies after Bolton stabbing
Paul Gilligan who is in his 30's was found at the Pepper Alley pub in Bolton shortly before 1am with stab wounds and later died in hospital from his injuries.
He is the third victim of knife crime in the region in the past 48 hours.
A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Elsewhere today, a 22-year-old man was in a serious condition after he was found by police with multiple stab wounds at a campsite at the T in the Park music festival in Kinross-shire, central Scotland. Police were interviewing campers and said that they were looking for 2 men likely to have bloodstained clothing.
The home secretary, Jacqui Smith, announced today that young offenders caught with a knife are to be forced to meet stabbing victims in an attempt to underline the seriousness of carrying a weapon. This would include visits to A&E wards where people are being treated for knife wounds, meetings with the families of stabbing victims and prison visits to offenders jailed for knife offences.
Another victim named yesterday was Yusufu Miiro, a 20-year-old student from Stratford. He was fatally stabbed in the head and chest as he walked up a stairwell towards a friend's flat in St David's Court, Walthamstow, north-east London.
He is the third victim of knife crime in the region in the past 48 hours.
A 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Elsewhere today, a 22-year-old man was in a serious condition after he was found by police with multiple stab wounds at a campsite at the T in the Park music festival in Kinross-shire, central Scotland. Police were interviewing campers and said that they were looking for 2 men likely to have bloodstained clothing.
The home secretary, Jacqui Smith, announced today that young offenders caught with a knife are to be forced to meet stabbing victims in an attempt to underline the seriousness of carrying a weapon. This would include visits to A&E wards where people are being treated for knife wounds, meetings with the families of stabbing victims and prison visits to offenders jailed for knife offences.
Another victim named yesterday was Yusufu Miiro, a 20-year-old student from Stratford. He was fatally stabbed in the head and chest as he walked up a stairwell towards a friend's flat in St David's Court, Walthamstow, north-east London.
Man fatally stabbed in Bristol
A man believed to be in his 40's was stabbed to death during a disturbance in a residential street in Bristol.
He suffered knife wounds to the head and chest at about 9pm last night in the Withywood area of the city - he died this morning.
two men have been arrested in connection with the incident.
He suffered knife wounds to the head and chest at about 9pm last night in the Withywood area of the city - he died this morning.
two men have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Woman remanded over supermarket stabbing
Sarah Anderson, 25 of Peckham, was today remanded in custody for the murder of Dee Willis, 28 who was stabbed outside of Lidl supermarket in Peckham on July 1st.
Willis was taken to Kings College Hospital with stab wounds to her upper body, and was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
A 21yr old woman was also arrested in connection with the investigation and has been bailed to return for questioning in August.
Police today named an 18-year-old man who died after being stabbed during a fight in the north-east of the capital on Thursday as Melvin Bryan. He recieved fatal wounds to his neck and chest during a confrontation at a bedsit in Gloucester Road, Edmonton. Police were called after reports of a disturbance at the address close to Silver Street railway station at about 2.30pm.
Bryan's death took the number of teenagers to die violently in the capital since the beginning of the year to 20.
Police named the man who was stabbed in Tottenham, NE London. Gennar Jaronis, 41, was found with head injuries and slash wounds at the rear of a disused pub.
Willis was taken to Kings College Hospital with stab wounds to her upper body, and was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
A 21yr old woman was also arrested in connection with the investigation and has been bailed to return for questioning in August.
Police today named an 18-year-old man who died after being stabbed during a fight in the north-east of the capital on Thursday as Melvin Bryan. He recieved fatal wounds to his neck and chest during a confrontation at a bedsit in Gloucester Road, Edmonton. Police were called after reports of a disturbance at the address close to Silver Street railway station at about 2.30pm.
Bryan's death took the number of teenagers to die violently in the capital since the beginning of the year to 20.
Police named the man who was stabbed in Tottenham, NE London. Gennar Jaronis, 41, was found with head injuries and slash wounds at the rear of a disused pub.
Second man charged over new cross murders
A second man, Daniel Sonnex, 23 of Peckham Park Road, SE London was today charged with the murders of the french students Laurent Bonomo and Gabriel Ferez.
Bonomo had been stabbed nearly 200 times while Ferez had suffered nearly 50 knife wounds.
Nigel Farmer, 33 of no fixed address appeared at Greenwich magistrates court on thursday., he was accused of both murders, arson and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Bonomo had been stabbed nearly 200 times while Ferez had suffered nearly 50 knife wounds.
Nigel Farmer, 33 of no fixed address appeared at Greenwich magistrates court on thursday., he was accused of both murders, arson and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Met chief calls for calm after four stab deaths in 24 hrs
The metropolitan police commisioner, Sir Ian Blair, todayurged Londoners to "pull together" after four fatal stabbings within 24 hrs accross the capital.
A 19yr old man became the 20th teenager to die in a violent attack in london this year. He was stabbed in a confrontation in a bedsit in Edmonton, north-east London, at about 2.30pm.
Three hours later, in nearby Leyton, a 20-year-old Asian man died from a stab wound to his chest after a confrontation with a gang following a car crash.
At around 8.30pm, a 22-year-old man was found with stab wounds to his head and chest in a street in Walthamstow, less than two miles away. He died an hour later.
At 4am yesterday, the body of a man in his 40s was found with knife wounds behind a disused pub on Tottenham High Road.
The fifth man, who is in a critical condition, is in his late 20s. He was found by police in Brenthurst Road, Willesden, north-west London, with stab wounds to the back and stomach.
Home secretary Jaqui Smith announces new plans to tackle knife crime: cross-government youth crime plan, new enforcement measures and improvements to sentencing. It will also include 'tougher parenting' programmes.
"I want to reassure the public that the MPS [Metropolitan police service] is doing everything possible, both in terms of thoroughly investigating each case and in continuing to carry out proactive operations, to get knives off the streets."
Boris johnson plans to meet Jaqui smith to bring plans for investment in violence prevention work with the capitals teenagers.
Johnson has also been pushing for mandatory jail scentences for anyone caught carrying a knife.
"We need to do all we can to address the long-term complex root causes of violence as well as ensuring the police are providing an effective deterrent to those who carry knives and guns," he said.
A 19yr old man became the 20th teenager to die in a violent attack in london this year. He was stabbed in a confrontation in a bedsit in Edmonton, north-east London, at about 2.30pm.
Three hours later, in nearby Leyton, a 20-year-old Asian man died from a stab wound to his chest after a confrontation with a gang following a car crash.
At around 8.30pm, a 22-year-old man was found with stab wounds to his head and chest in a street in Walthamstow, less than two miles away. He died an hour later.
At 4am yesterday, the body of a man in his 40s was found with knife wounds behind a disused pub on Tottenham High Road.
The fifth man, who is in a critical condition, is in his late 20s. He was found by police in Brenthurst Road, Willesden, north-west London, with stab wounds to the back and stomach.
Home secretary Jaqui Smith announces new plans to tackle knife crime: cross-government youth crime plan, new enforcement measures and improvements to sentencing. It will also include 'tougher parenting' programmes.
"I want to reassure the public that the MPS [Metropolitan police service] is doing everything possible, both in terms of thoroughly investigating each case and in continuing to carry out proactive operations, to get knives off the streets."
Boris johnson plans to meet Jaqui smith to bring plans for investment in violence prevention work with the capitals teenagers.
Johnson has also been pushing for mandatory jail scentences for anyone caught carrying a knife.
"We need to do all we can to address the long-term complex root causes of violence as well as ensuring the police are providing an effective deterrent to those who carry knives and guns," he said.
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