Knives off our streets
Huge increase in convictions for carrying knives
 |
| Knife victim Lewis Singleton |
THE number of people
convicted of carrying a
knife in Hampshire has
soared by 65 per cent
over the past decade.
Government figures show 161
people were found guilty of possessing
a blade in 2006 - up from
97 in 1997.
A breakdown of the Ministry
of Justice figures shows 37 of
the offenders in 2006 were under-
18s - almost double the 19 of a
decade ago.
However the true extent of illegal
knife carrying was obscured
as no details were given about
the number of people let off
with a caution.
The figures emerged as Home
Secretary Jacqui Smith today
unveiled a Tackling Violence
Action Plan developed with
police.
A £1m campaign will be
launched this summer to warn
youngsters that - far from making
them safer, as many believe -
carrying a knife heightens their
chances of becoming a victim of
violence.
There will be
new police
resources for hundreds
of metaldetecting
knife
arches and search
wands, right, such
as those which
have already been
given to all
Southampton's
schools, as
revealed in the
Daily Echo earlier
this month.
The Home
Secretary said she
also wanted to see
courts imposing
tougher sentences
on those caught
carrying knives,
including by making
use of the new four-year
maximum jail term available to
them.
 |
| Knife victim Dele Little |
Prime Minister Gordon Brown
has already ordered police officers
in the worst knife-crime
areas to prosecute anyone found
carrying a blade - but
Hampshire was not considered
bad enough to be included.
Since 1997, the figures showed,
a total of 1,287 people have been
convicted of carrying a knife in
Hampshire - of which 312 were
children between 10 and 17.
But the overall number of convictions
has recently shown a
slight downward trend - falling
from 177 in 2004 to 162 in 2005
and 161 in 2006.
Chris Huhne, Liberal
Democrat home affairs
spokesman and Eastleigh MP,
said: "It is appalling that children
should have access to, and
the desire to use, offensive
weapons of any sort. We need to
see more intensive and visible
policing in vulnerable areas.
"It's time the Government took
gang gun crime and knife crime
far more seriously with more
incentives to stop and search in
hot spots and a tough clampdown
on gun smuggling."
The Home Office said the
increase of those convicted of
carrying knives illegally showed
police and courts were taking
appropriate action to support
Government efforts to tackle
knife crime.
A spokeswoman said: "The
risk of being a victim of crime
remains historically low but we
recognise that young people particularly
are fearful of becoming
victims and some are carrying
weapons."
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: Catherine, Here on 2:58pm Mon 18 Feb 08
[quote]quote[/quote] However the true extent of illegal knife carrying was obscured as no details were given about the number of people let off with a caution[quote]quote[/quote] [bold]Why should anyone be let off if we are meant to be "getting tough!""[/bold] [quote]quote[/quote] ""Prime Minister Gordon Brown has already ordered police officers in the worst knife-crime areas to prosecute anyone found carrying a blade - but Hampshire was not considered bad enough to be included."" [bold]bold[/bold] HOW MANY INNOCENT PEOPLE SUCH AS lEWIS SINGLETON WILL HAVE TO BE MURDERED BEFORE IT IS?
quote
However the true extent of illegal knife carrying was obscured as no details were given about the number of people let off with a caution
quote
Why should anyone be let off if we are meant to be "getting tough!"" quote
""Prime Minister Gordon Brown has already ordered police officers in the worst knife-crime areas to prosecute anyone found carrying a blade - but Hampshire was not considered bad enough to be included."" HOW MANY INNOCENT PEOPLE SUCH AS lEWIS SINGLETON WILL HAVE TO BE MURDERED BEFORE IT IS?
Posted by: toxteth og'grady on 2:58pm Mon 18 Feb 08
What possible reason can there be for letting someone off with just a caution for being found in pocession of a knive ?
What possible reason can there be for letting someone off with just a caution for being found in pocession of a knive ?
Posted by: Adrian Smith on 3:36pm Mon 18 Feb 08
"Government figures show 161 people were found guilty of possessing a blade in 2006 - up from 97 in 1997."
But the number of searches on people and the reason for those searches has changed. The statistics are meaningless.
"Government figures show 161 people were found guilty of possessing a blade in 2006 - up from 97 in 1997."
But the number of searches on people and the reason for those searches has changed. The statistics are meaningless.
Posted by: Ian, Turkey on 3:41pm Mon 18 Feb 08
Although the conviction rate is unfortunately higher, the punishment is obviously not working or the rate would drop. The sentencing and punishment needs to be reviewed and increased
Although the conviction rate is unfortunately higher, the punishment is obviously not working or the rate would drop. The sentencing and punishment needs to be reviewed and increased
Posted by: Adrian Smith on 3:47pm Mon 18 Feb 08
[quote][bold]toxteth og\'grady[/bold] wrote:
What possible reason can there be for letting someone off with just a caution for being found in pocession of a knive ?[/quote] I am glad you asked.
I was stopped and searched last March and had a knife on me. The Police officer asked if he could search my bag and whether it contained any sharp items. I mentioned to him that I carried "the tools of my trade" which included screwdrivers and a knife and some keys (the have been known to cut me). He put his latex gloves on and searched my bag, removing the items carefully. I was questioned on some other issues, had all the items returned and then given a "receipt". Whether this hit the statistics I know not.
By the way, I was stopped by a drug detecting dog.
toxteth og\'grady wrote:
What possible reason can there be for letting someone off with just a caution for being found in pocession of a knive ?
I am glad you asked.
I was stopped and searched last March and had a knife on me. The Police officer asked if he could search my bag and whether it contained any sharp items. I mentioned to him that I carried "the tools of my trade" which included screwdrivers and a knife and some keys (the have been known to cut me). He put his latex gloves on and searched my bag, removing the items carefully. I was questioned on some other issues, had all the items returned and then given a "receipt". Whether this hit the statistics I know not.
By the way, I was stopped by a drug detecting dog.
Posted by: Jen and Terry, southampton on 6:01pm Mon 18 Feb 08
One knife on the streets of Southampton is too many,one knife killed my son ,5 people took him down and kicked his head in . Government figures! I'm sorry but lip service is not good enough. Group 4 securicor ( tag company) blaming the probation service and they blame the court system and they blame the law and the government.R.J.broke his tag for 3 consecutive nights and the only available court date was for 3 weeks time they gave him a licence to kill. Internal review ! was satisfactory they haven't even had the decency to contact us (lewis' family).Change the system,for tagging to work if the offenders break the curfew straight back in a cell no questions ,let them sit there and wait for a court date or would that be against their human bloody rights . Can't wait for the Governments new initiative to be launched in the summer if its like the last one 4 years for carrying a knife its a waste of time and is just more lip service. I've followed all knife crime cases since lewis was murdered and cant find a single one that got 4 years Dele Littles killer one example. I'm sorry to rant but i'm very emotional and angry at the moment!!!!!!!!!!1
One knife on the streets of Southampton is too many,one knife killed my son ,5 people took him down and kicked his head in . Government figures! I'm sorry but lip service is not good enough. Group 4 securicor ( tag company) blaming the probation service and they blame the court system and they blame the law and the government.R.J.broke his tag for 3 consecutive nights and the only available court date was for 3 weeks time they gave him a licence to kill. Internal review ! was satisfactory they haven't even had the decency to contact us (lewis' family).Change the system,for tagging to work if the offenders break the curfew straight back in a cell no questions ,let them sit there and wait for a court date or would that be against their human bloody rights . Can't wait for the Governments new initiative to be launched in the summer if its like the last one 4 years for carrying a knife its a waste of time and is just more lip service. I've followed all knife crime cases since lewis was murdered and cant find a single one that got 4 years Dele Littles killer one example. I'm sorry to rant but i'm very emotional and angry at the moment!!!!!!!!!!1
Posted by: murphatsoton, Southampton on 6:33pm Mon 18 Feb 08
[bold]Chris Huhne is appalled that children can have access to knives. Shows he has never walked into the kitchen at home then??? Probably too busy to eat at home having his nose in the Westminster and EU trough all that time[/bold]
Chris Huhne is appalled that children can have access to knives. Shows he has never walked into the kitchen at home then??? Probably too busy to eat at home having his nose in the Westminster and EU trough all that time Posted by: caring parent, southampton on 8:00pm Mon 18 Feb 08
[quote][bold]Jen and Terry[/bold] wrote:
One knife on the streets of Southampton is too many,one knife killed my son ,5 people took him down and kicked his head in . Government figures! I\\\'m sorry but lip service is not good enough. Group 4 securicor ( tag company) blaming the probation service and they blame the court system and they blame the law and the government.R.J.broke his tag for 3 consecutive nights and the only available court date was for 3 weeks time they gave him a licence to kill. Internal review ! was satisfactory they haven\\\'t even had the decency to contact us (lewis\\\' family).Change the system,for tagging to work if the offenders break the curfew straight back in a cell no questions ,let them sit there and wait for a court date or would that be against their human bloody rights . Can\\\'t wait for the Governments new initiative to be launched in the summer if its like the last one 4 years for carrying a knife its a waste of time and is just more lip service. I\\\'ve followed all knife crime cases since lewis was murdered and cant find a single one that got 4 years Dele Littles killer one example. I\\\'m sorry to rant but i\\\'m very emotional and angry at the moment!!!!!!!!!!1[/quote] Firstly ,i would like to say how sorry iam about your loss .Being a parent as we are love is unconditional,One thing i would say that RJ was brought up to be honest ,he could of lied just like the rest of them.But he didnt As you have said there were five people involved with this , why wernt put across the papers, they should have been .Shortly three of them will be out .I dont think that is fair.I know this wont make things any better ,but his mother is hurting as well .she gets the life sentence aswel.
Jen and Terry wrote:
One knife on the streets of Southampton is too many,one knife killed my son ,5 people took him down and kicked his head in . Government figures! I'm sorry but lip service is not good enough. Group 4 securicor ( tag company) blaming the probation service and they blame the court system and they blame the law and the government.R.J.broke his tag for 3 consecutive nights and the only available court date was for 3 weeks time they gave him a licence to kill. Internal review ! was satisfactory they haven't even had the decency to contact us (lewis' family).Change the system,for tagging to work if the offenders break the curfew straight back in a cell no questions ,let them sit there and wait for a court date or would that be against their human bloody rights . Can't wait for the Governments new initiative to be launched in the summer if its like the last one 4 years for carrying a knife its a waste of time and is just more lip service. I've followed all knife crime cases since lewis was murdered and cant find a single one that got 4 years Dele Littles killer one example. I'm sorry to rant but i'm very emotional and angry at the moment!!!!!!!!!!1
Firstly ,i would like to say how sorry iam about your loss .Being a parent as we are love is unconditional,One thing i would say that RJ was brought up to be honest ,he could of lied just like the rest of them.But he didnt As you have said there were five people involved with this , why wernt put across the papers, they should have been .Shortly three of them will be out .I dont think that is fair.I know this wont make things any better ,but his mother is hurting as well .she gets the life sentence aswel.
Posted by: caring parent, southampton on 8:17pm Mon 18 Feb 08
[quote][bold]Jen and Terry[/bold] wrote:
One knife on the streets of Southampton is too many,one knife killed my son ,5 people took him down and kicked his head in . Government figures! I'm sorry but lip service is not good enough. Group 4 securicor ( tag company) blaming the probation service and they blame the court system and they blame the law and the government.R.J.broke his tag for 3 consecutive nights and the only available court date was for 3 weeks time they gave him a licence to kill. Internal review ! was satisfactory they haven't even had the decency to contact us (lewis' family).Change the system,for tagging to work if the offenders break the curfew straight back in a cell no questions ,let them sit there and wait for a court date or would that be against their human bloody rights . Can't wait for the Governments new initiative to be launched in the summer if its like the last one 4 years for carrying a knife its a waste of time and is just more lip service. I've followed all knife crime cases since lewis was murdered and cant find a single one that got 4 years Dele Littles killer one example. I'm sorry to rant but i'm very emotional and angry at the moment!!!!!!!!!!1[/quote] Firstly ,i would like to say how sorry iam about your loss .Being a parent as we are love is unconditional,One thing i would say that RJ was brought up to be honest ,he could of lied just like the rest of them.But he didnt As you have said there were five people involved with this , why wernt put across the papers, they should have been .Shortly three of them will be out .I dont think that is fair.I know this wont make things any better ,but his mother is hurting as well .she gets the life sentence aswel.
Jen and Terry wrote:
One knife on the streets of Southampton is too many,one knife killed my son ,5 people took him down and kicked his head in . Government figures! I'm sorry but lip service is not good enough. Group 4 securicor ( tag company) blaming the probation service and they blame the court system and they blame the law and the government.R.J.broke his tag for 3 consecutive nights and the only available court date was for 3 weeks time they gave him a licence to kill. Internal review ! was satisfactory they haven't even had the decency to contact us (lewis' family).Change the system,for tagging to work if the offenders break the curfew straight back in a cell no questions ,let them sit there and wait for a court date or would that be against their human bloody rights . Can't wait for the Governments new initiative to be launched in the summer if its like the last one 4 years for carrying a knife its a waste of time and is just more lip service. I've followed all knife crime cases since lewis was murdered and cant find a single one that got 4 years Dele Littles killer one example. I'm sorry to rant but i'm very emotional and angry at the moment!!!!!!!!!!1
Firstly ,i would like to say how sorry iam about your loss .Being a parent as we are love is unconditional,One thing i would say that RJ was brought up to be honest ,he could of lied just like the rest of them.But he didnt As you have said there were five people involved with this , why wernt put across the papers, they should have been .Shortly three of them will be out .I dont think that is fair.I know this wont make things any better ,but his mother is hurting as well .she gets the life sentence aswel.
Posted by: max, hampshire on 9:18pm Mon 18 Feb 08
i no someone that is aged under 18 and went out with his dads fishing knife for protection, his dad phoned the police and had him arrested, he was kept in a cell for 2 nights then appered in court next morning, he got 6 month probation and a slapped wrist, this happend only a few weeks ago, his dad feels this was to light and should have maybe been tagged with a time to be in at night,or just something with a bigger affect on him, but if it happens again his dad will phone police again!!
i no someone that is aged under 18 and went out with his dads fishing knife for protection, his dad phoned the police and had him arrested, he was kept in a cell for 2 nights then appered in court next morning, he got 6 month probation and a slapped wrist, this happend only a few weeks ago, his dad feels this was to light and should have maybe been tagged with a time to be in at night,or just something with a bigger affect on him, but if it happens again his dad will phone police again!!
Posted by: claxxy on 11:17pm Mon 18 Feb 08
[quote][bold]max[/bold] wrote:
i no someone that is aged under 18 and went out with his dads fishing knife for protection, his dad phoned the police and had him arrested, he was kept in a cell for 2 nights then appered in court next morning, he got 6 month probation and a slapped wrist, this happend only a few weeks ago, his dad feels this was to light and should have maybe been tagged with a time to be in at night,or just something with a bigger affect on him, but if it happens again his dad will phone police again!! [/quote] Well to your friend! I would do excatly the same. Unfortunatley some parents are just as bad as the children!
max wrote:
i no someone that is aged under 18 and went out with his dads fishing knife for protection, his dad phoned the police and had him arrested, he was kept in a cell for 2 nights then appered in court next morning, he got 6 month probation and a slapped wrist, this happend only a few weeks ago, his dad feels this was to light and should have maybe been tagged with a time to be in at night,or just something with a bigger affect on him, but if it happens again his dad will phone police again!!
Well to your friend! I would do excatly the same. Unfortunatley some parents are just as bad as the children!
Posted by: Amy, southampton on 3:32pm Fri 22 Feb 08
Well to be honest society is getting increasingly dangerous! im 21 and even going into town for a night out u cant relax theres fights, police cautions, etc! My brother 18 was on tag for drink driving (only had one pint) he didnt break his curfew kept it on 6 months and done his community service, and the weekend it came off he went into town for drinks and ended up in hospital with a smashed pint glass round his face by men aged 25 upwards. Which i think is a disgrace, who the hell are these teenagers ment to look up 2??? No wonder people are taking weapons out with them!
Well to be honest society is getting increasingly dangerous! im 21 and even going into town for a night out u cant relax theres fights, police cautions, etc! My brother 18 was on tag for drink driving (only had one pint) he didnt break his curfew kept it on 6 months and done his community service, and the weekend it came off he went into town for drinks and ended up in hospital with a smashed pint glass round his face by men aged 25 upwards. Which i think is a disgrace, who the hell are these teenagers ment to look up 2??? No wonder people are taking weapons out with them!
Posted by: vanessa & co, eastleigh on 9:34pm Mon 25 Feb 08
In a society where danger breeds danger and gang culture's becoming increasingly apparent the police need to be given more powers to deal with youths that are known to be part of the gang's. Choice's,decision's and consiquence's(everyo
ne has a choice,we all make decisions and live with the consiquence's).Unfor
tunately the one's left behind suffer the most.GIVE POLICE MORE POWERS TO DEAL WITH GANGS!!
In a society where danger breeds danger and gang culture's becoming increasingly apparent the police need to be given more powers to deal with youths that are known to be part of the gang's. Choice's,decision's and consiquence's(everyo
ne has a choice,we all make decisions and live with the consiquence's).Unfor
tunately the one's left behind suffer the most.GIVE POLICE MORE POWERS TO DEAL WITH GANGS!!
Posted by: jessica, southampton on 12:42pm Mon 17 Mar 08
Lewis' family and friends have got the life sentence. We won't be able to see him again, and we have to live with the pain of that. Those murderers will be out in a few years and they will be able to have a life after all this, and their families can visit them in prison. We can't visit Lewis and he can't have a life anymore.
Lewis' family and friends have got the life sentence. We won't be able to see him again, and we have to live with the pain of that. Those murderers will be out in a few years and they will be able to have a life after all this, and their families can visit them in prison. We can't visit Lewis and he can't have a life anymore.
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
