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Johnson: There's too much blood on London streets
Paul Waugh and Pippa Crerar28.04.08
Rising violent crime in London means there is "blood on the streets" on a daily basis, Boris Johnson claimed today.
The Tory mayoral candidate hit out as Ken Livingstone blamed the increase on a lack of youth club funding by councils.
Mr Johnson seized on two stabbings which took place near his home in Islington yesterday. He said: "I walked out of my house and I couldn't go up Holloway Road. There was so much blood on the streets that I couldn't go up the road.
"That's now becoming an everyday occurrence in London."
A 26-year-old man was fighting for his life after the knife attack outside Manjaro Bar in Holloway Road in the early hours of yesterday. Another stabbing victim was also taken to hospital. Mr Johnson said he was "appalled" the Mayor had suggested town halls were to blame for rising crime. Last year 27 young Londoners were murdered and 11 have been killed so far this year.
The Mayor blamed the boroughs - most of which are Tory-run - for failing to find cash for youth activities. He said town halls had "fallen down on the job".
The Government recently gave the Mayor responsibility for youth services and handed him £60 million to increase provision. Merrick Cockell, leader of London Councils which represents the boroughs, denied the claims and said: "For the last eight years Ken Livingstone has had no interest in youth services or youth crime."
Reader views (4)
There is a reason behind all of this violence.
It's called multiculturalism. Forcing groups of people who don't necessarily get on together to live in close proximity to one another.
Multiculturalism is the worst form of racism there is and this socialist government are just adding fuel to the fire by insisting that we all rub along or be branded a racist. It doesn't work like that! The amount of blood on our streets is testimony to it.
If you want the violence stopped bring back our armies from the illegal occupation of other countries and have them police the streets in full combat gear. I think you would be amazed at the results.
NuLabour are the biggest bunch of racists, hypocrites and liars the world has ever seen. Soft on crime, soft on the causes of crime.
- Jimbob, Kensington
Socialism removes personal responsibility and lack of a sense of individual responsibility allows violence without moral consequence. The State can find funds for all the youth clubs it would like, it may salve the conscience of the elites in government but it will not stop the violence.
- Richard Z, Woodbridge, NJ USA
Socialism removes personal responsibility and lack of a sense of individual responsibility allows violence without moral consequence. The State can find funds for all the youth clubs it would like, it may salve the conscience of the elites in government but it will not stop the violence.
- Richard Z, Woodbridge, NJ USA
Go Boris. Red Ken has been a disaster for London.
- Franc, Palm Beach, FL USA
