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Knife crime in London is being fuelled by "territorialism" among young people who use postcodes and transport hubs to form gang identities, a report by MPs warned today.
The Commons Home Affairs Select Committee said that the capital's "natural geographical boundaries" were a key reason why it had more knife offending and a greater prevalence of gangs than other cities.
The report also warned that children as young as seven were being used like golf caddies to carry knives for older juveniles. It said that postcode territorialism was so strong that some youngsters felt it necessary to arm themselves when venturing outside their districts.
It also suggested, however, that knife offending was being successfully tackled in parts of London through stricter curbs on the sales of blades to those who were under-age and through the increased use of stop and search. The findings were contained in a wide-ranging study by the committee on the extent, causes and possible solutions to knife crime.
The report warned that an "arms race" was occurring in some areas with increasing numbers of young people opting to carry blades because of fears about the danger posed by others who were armed.
London was singled out as the area with the most severe problem with 34 per cent of the country's "most serious knife crime" incidents and 50 per cent of knife murders.
The committee said that overall, knife offending rates per head of population were slightly higher in London than Manchester and Birmingham. It cited evidence from the Youth Justice Board that the use of postcodes and transport hubs as identity badges was a key factor driving offending.
On solutions, the report said that a voluntary agreement under which retailers have introduced better training for staff and stricter checks on the identity of those who appear to be aged under 21 have resulted in fewer knife sales to young people.
Improved provision of part-time jobs could also be an important way of diverting potential offenders away from knife crime, it said.
The report called for improved work in prisons with knife offenders and early intervention in the community with families and individuals who were at risk of carrying or using blades.
Committee chairman Keith Vaz said youngsters did not feel protected by parents and the police. "We are seeing a spiralling of the arms race as far as knife crime is concerned," he added.
Reader views (3)
Lots of effort made to "understand" and classify and such silliness. How about rounding them up, putting them behind bars and throwing away the key?
That most of these thugs are still on the street is the EXACT REASON kids have learned their parents and the police cannot and will not protect them.
- Trunk, US
Vaz is as slimy as the rest, if not worse. He'll be gone soon.
Mandatory sentences required. The justice system is a joke.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
I wish Keith Vaz would shut up. Fear of a long time behind bars is the only solution to this problem.
Vaz
-Filkin inquiry
-Hinduja affair
-suspended from the House of Commons
-assisted Anglo-Iraqi billionaire Nadhmi Auchi in his attempts to avoid extradition to France
-42 Day Rule Vote
-solicitor Shahrokh Mireskandari Conflict of interest
-Vaz claimed £75,000 in expenses for a second home just 12 miles from his main home
Honourable???
- Ge, The free people of Kernow
