People SHOULD confront youths who misbehave despite fear of knife crime, says police chief

A police chief yesterday called for a return to the days when adults told off youths they saw being unruly in public.

Mike Craik, 54, said: 'When I was a kid and you were misbehaving any adult could challenge you. I'd like to get back to that.'

But he added that for this to be achieved, police must take away adults' fear of being attacked if they confront troublemakers  -  and especially of being stabbed.

The Northumbria Chief Constable's comments came as he unveiled a campaign by his force against knife crime in the wake of growing concerns over 'Blade Britain'.

He said: 'The knife is the ultimate threat. That's what really scares people in terms of the public actually intervening and saying something. It's incumbent on us, the police, to actually do something about it.'

With fear of the knife decreased, Mr Craik hopes adults will be more willing to challenge unruly youths hanging around street corners or causing trouble on public transport.

'I think in principle people should challenge, they should say something and they should do something. Particularly if you're not alone and there's two or more of you together.

'That scenario of kids misbehaving on the bus and all the adults not daring to say anything  -  that's the culture we need to change.

'And I would advise people: Yes, if you think you should and you think you can, then say something. I don't want to live in a world where only the police dare confront them.'

Crime figures last week showed that more than 350 people are the victim of knife assaults every day in England and Wales.

Mr Craik  -  who champions 'total policing' in which officers crack down on all levels of crime  -  said that although there had been a reduction in serious knife crime in Northumbria, the campaign was intended to address public concerns.

Officers will be out on the streets targeting offenders in known hotspots. Anyone found carrying a knife without good reason will be charged and risks up to four years in prison. An amnesty will allow people to dispose of knives legally.

Explaining Mr Craik's comments, a force spokesman said he wants to break the way of thinking where people assume it is unsafe to challenge troublemakers. He does not advocate physically challenging them, but suggests telling them to stop or go away, and if that fails then calling the police.