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Comment: New ideas to stop the killing
Evening Standard14 Jul 2008
However genuine the Prime Minister's concern over knife crime, the Government's plans announced today are notable most for their disarray. Yesterday the Home Secretary appeared to suggest that knife offenders should visit victims in hospital, a completely impractical idea; today the Home Office claimed that this had never been the intention. Mr Brown today proposed longer periods of streetcleaning and graffiti-removal duty as alternative community punishments for those convicted of carrying knives - but many criminals regard such sentences as trivial.
As for his talk of early intervention with families which fail to supervise and control offenders, and the possibility of eviction for council-house tenants who fail to co-operate, it is hard to see how these measures could avoid falling foul of legal challenges citing human rights legislation.
There are simple grassroots ideas that could make a difference: the Mayor's proposal to use the high profile and wealth of football clubs to back sports schemes that could draw young people away from crime is a good one. But at the level of the criminal justice system, where ministers can have most impact, they appear not to be able to agree on measures to toughen sentencing. Justice Secretary Jack Straw has admitted that, despite tough talk over prosecutions, sentencing guidelines in force from next month will still allow those convicted of carrying knives to get away with a fine. Today Mr Brown offered no firm alternative to that.
This newspaper's Knife Crime Charter has called, among other things, for those caught with knives to face prosecution, not a caution, and for more prison sentences in all cases where there is no reasonable excuse for carrying a blade. The courts should reflect the principle that going out armed is wrong. The new Lord Chief Justice, Sir Igor Judge, has made this clear. Mr Brown should forget the gimmicks and tell us why he is not making jail mandatory for anyone convicted of carrying a knife without good reason.
