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It's hard not to come away depressed when you talk, as I did recently, to teenage Londoners serving prison sentences for knife crime. They seem very tough. Indeed, the governor of the young offenders' institution said they made inmates from Bristol, for example, look like children.
But for all their tough talk, their immaturity quickly comes through. So, too, did their limited horizons. One lad told me that everyone where he lived was involved in drugs or other criminal behaviour including benefit fraud. Nor did they see any way out, even if they wanted one. As one of them said: "It's hopeless. Once you've been inside, no one is going to employ you anyway."
Crime was the only way they saw to get the money, lifestyle and respect they craved. Indeed, one prison governor told me that some inmates took up educational opportunities inside not to go straight when they left, but to help them run their drugs business more efficiently.
It was why Vicky, from the London-based St Giles Trust, was one of the most inspirational figures I met when making a TV documentary to mark the first anniversary of the Street Weapons Commission report. Having herself spent time in a young offenders' institution, her job was to show these young people that if they were willing to change, they could get a second chance. She was a powerful antidote to the climate of hopelessness which surrounds knife and gun crime in our communities.
We can't afford to give in to this despair. As a barrister and part-time judge, I sentence offenders for crimes involving such weapons and I witness first hand they cause victims and their families. But it is also clear that tougher enforcement and tougher sentences alone are not the answer.
This was certainly the view of those police officers on the frontline in tackling street crime in London, such as those I joined on an estate sweep in Hackney. They were searching parks and stairwells for weapons hidden to avoid stop-and-search operations. In one recent sweep, they uncovered 23 knives on one estate alone.
But the police say that, at best, they can only provide a sticking- plaster solution to a more serious sickness. We should not be surprised that deaths from knife crime are still rising.
Reversing this trend needs more resources and better co-ordination. Which is why it's worrying that organisations such as St Giles are still living hand-to-mouth, never sure whether funding will be cut. We need to think more long-term.
We have to learn as well from the successful efforts across Scotland to get all agencies and organisations working together to tackle street crime. On a visit to Glasgow, I was very impressed to see how young gang members there are confronted by victims, former offenders, police and doctors about their violence.
At these "Call Ins", they are given a stark choice: change, or face the full weight of the law. If they want to change, they are given every possible support from every agency involved to help them. It's a co-ordinated, targeted approach that is not yet on offer here in London. Until it is, there is little hope of a reduction in the fear and heartache which overshadows too many of this city's communities.
This was brought home to me during filming with the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service when they were called suddenly to the stabbing of 17-year-old Jahmal Mason-Blair in Hackney. There was nothing they could do. While teenagers continue to have their lives senselessly cut short, we must show more resolve and a greater urgency.
Cherie Blair chaired Channel 4's Street Weapons Commission. In tonight's Dispatches: The War Against Street Weapons, she returns to some of Britain's toughest streets: Channel 4, 8pm.
Reader views (21)
Listen angry ranters: if this article were by someone called Mrs Susan Smith you would not have got so worked up, would you? Ronnie,from Billericay; try living in the US for a few years---that would give you something to think about, were you still alive at the end of it. And I'm sure were a member of your own family in the Dock you would be wailing about gross injustice to any newspaper reporter who would listen to you and believing that your only friend was the defence barrister.
- Dectora, London UK, 04/08/2009 18:13
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she recently spoke to some teenagers?????? does she mean her own kids, because I doubt if she would remain in one piece if let out onto the streets, its dangerous out there cherie let me tell you, stick by the side of your rich useless hubby
- Pam, london, 04/08/2009 16:52
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What a pious load of old platitudes. I can't even be bothered to get into the argument. Youngsters who carry knives should be put into approved schools and taught about right and wrong. When that's done teach them the 3r's in the same environment. At an agreed age they should be offered apprenticeships with the businesses subsidised for their efforts. If a knife carrier has injured - or worse still - killed someone then they should have a mandatory sentence.
Would anyone here really like to confront their attacker about their crime? I think not. What a load of old tosh; "Hello you killed my child can we have chat about it?"
My advice Cherie? Put a sock in it. Get on with your nauseating human rights legal work. You make money from fighting legislation your husband brought in- you make my toes curl. I really can't take you seriously.
- David S., Ealing, 04/08/2009 13:10
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Perhaps she can pray for them? It seems as effective as her beloved "human rights legislation".
- Bob, Cheam, 04/08/2009 09:17
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A very toungue in cheek piece I think.
A bit like making Komrade Tony a middle east peace envoy.
Making it peaceful by bombing it flat.
- Jimbob, Kensington, 04/08/2009 08:03
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Just thought about this. The Blairs are friends with the Clintons aren't they?
When the Clinton's realised that Bill's time had come and gone, Hilary (with Bill's backing) decided that she would have her own go at changing the world, and very nearly became President of the most powerful country on Earth!
Power hungry egos do not go away they feast on weakness and this is a period of weakness for Tone's New Labour.
Could it be that this publicity is just a first step in a marketing machine for Cherie?
Glynnis Kinnock has made it back into government, of course without actually having to stand for election!
Will it be Cherie next? No! God No!. Is there a safe Labour seat up for grabs? Please someone say it's not possible!!!!!
- Ronnie, Billericay UK, 03/08/2009 18:30
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I loathe that woman!
- Trisha Crawford, EAST CROYDON, 03/08/2009 18:26
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What happened to "Ten years for carrying a knife"?
Another piece of spin,dished out during her husband's term in office.
- Jimfred, London UK, 03/08/2009 17:22
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What would ms Blair know about knife crime on the streets ? I pass her home every day and wish I had Gun Cops protecting me
- Derek Flint, London, 03/08/2009 16:25
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Please, please get this publicity seeking addict out of the media!!
- T Mason, Birmingham, West Midlands, 03/08/2009 16:20
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'My view from the streets'.
Very hip!
Fleeting, anxious, voyeuristic and/or downright nosey glimpses, presumably, from Stretch Limo' and Taxi cabs!
And tell us what's it like, living with Mr Mendacity.
- Dave, Cumbria, 03/08/2009 16:08
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I dont think that Cherie Blair should be making comments about this or any other issue in this country.
Please ignore this women and look for columists with credibility, morals and a lack of greed for money and limelight to tackle such important matters
- Amazonmothe, hasting, 03/08/2009 15:56
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Oh G*d. Cherie is back. Now she wants to be the saviour of the streets. Go away Cherie. You do not and will not ever understand how people are and why they behave as they do, in spite of all your years in the law. You only understand people in your squeeze to fit way. No doubt you want to become an unlikely heroine but people know what you are like.
- Jilly, London, 03/08/2009 15:38
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Danny: Too true mate! I am sick and tired of the pc approach to the crime in London. Say what it is; Black & Asian gang culture and address the cultural issues once and for all.
- Dirk Diggler, Soho, London, 03/08/2009 15:08
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Is she aware that in some countries in the world human life is cheap? Aren't these the very countries from which we have seen a stream of asylum seekers and immigrants in the last ten years? Just remind me, who was the PM in those days?
- Sue R, London, 03/08/2009 14:54
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You are involved in sentencing some of these 'young people'? Well may I make a suggestion Mrs.Blair? Try making those sentences a little longer. I couldn't care less about solving the problems of somebody who has tried to kill, I would just like the public to be safer and while they are not at large it is.
- Mark, London, 03/08/2009 13:46
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"The Human rights act being allowed to be abused by some very nasty people, her defending of anyone no matter what crime they have commited?"
Exactement mes braves! The like of the 'Yumin Rites Act' is a peverse piece of legislation taht is taken advantage of by the Chavscum of the Streets. Make the sentence fit the crime, no excuses from the dopey, lefty excusers for criminal behaviour. Just jail those who commit serious offences.
- Uncle Vanya, East Anglia East Anglia, 03/08/2009 13:20
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You offer nothing new. Its just the same old socialist view, just throw money at the problem and hope it goes away. Despite making up less than 10% of London’s population, virtually all the teenage killers (and a majority of the victims) come from the black communities. It’s a cultural problem. The solution comes from within those communities, not from middle-class white liberals, particularly the wives of discredited politicians.
- Danny, NW5, 03/08/2009 12:53
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One question. . . & no doubt, the first one that also sprang to your mind.
How much are you being PAID for this?
- Silent Hunter, Stirling, Scotland, 03/08/2009 12:29
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I seem to remember, wasn't it her husband Tony who was Prime Miniter for ten years? And didn't every speech he ever made include claims that his government was winning the battle against crime?
Didn't he come to power with the mantra "tough on crime tough on the causes of crime" ?
But they were not tough, they were sympathetic with the perpatrators, and along with all of the Liberal Left intelligentsia, they believe that the causes of crime are due to background, poverty and education.
He had ten years to solve these problems and did nothing.
Get out of the lime light Cherie and let the police do their job, the old fashioned way.
Bang some up for ever, and make the rest think about that as a future prospect
- Ronnie, Billericay UK, 03/08/2009 12:12
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Has Cherie Blair ever stopped to think that maybe it is her and her legal colleagues who have helped to make this situation worse?
The Human rights act being allowed to be abused by some very nasty people, her defending of anyone no matter what crime they have commited?
By the way I disagree with the prison governer in saying such people are tough.
They are not tough at all, the reason they are like they are is because they are allowed to get away with so much, they have no real punishment to face up to.
- Russell, London, 03/08/2009 10:57
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