Forum Topic

Mayor ten years to solve knife crime

The Mayor has said it will take ten years to stop knife crime in our city. This is typical of our Labour Mayor and his party. No ideas except blame it on cuts in the police, blame it on austerity, in fact blame it on anything except them. Obviously Donald Trump was lying when he said knife crime in London was out of control. There has been 118 murders this year. So why does our Mayor not campaign for proper sentences for this feral scum. Why not 20 years for anyone found carrying a knife and bring back hanging with no other sentence option for theses killers.

Robert Ayres ● 2477d82 Comments

That's really good to hear but it's true that the Councils have all been desperately looking for firms to take on young apprentices. 

Philippa Bond ● 2463d

I own and run a plumbing company. Prompt Services Ltd. We train apprentices and always have done. We don't just take young people to train some people come to us in their late twenties and we have one new entrant who is 32 . I don't know where your getting this idea that training in Germany is superior to here . We carry out work for the biggest commercial boiler manufacturers in Germany. Remeha, Buderus,Viessmann and I assure you our Engineers are every bit as good as theirs. If we have one failing in this country it is the inclusion of further education colleges in offering training in engineering skills. What would be better would be specialist training centres offering training on site and in the classroom in only in one specific skill

Robert Ayres ● 2465d

"... and I can see why a lot of young people do not want to bother with them."And this is exactly something that really frustrates me. Too many young people do not bother to do anything to earn their living.

Alex Shpinkov ● 2465d

Philippa I saw a programme on TV where a man who had served an apprenticeship in the army was stationed in Germay working on MAN lorries. He was going back to the UK but did not want to go so he applied to MAN for a job. He was sucessful but was told he would have to go on a German training scheme. He agreed but drew attention to the fact he was trained by the British Army. Anyway he said he went on the training scheme and was so shocked by how good it was. He went on to say how good German training was in plumbing etc. For plumbers, builders etc not only do you learn the trade but also maths and German so you can do proper estimates showing cost of labour materials and VAT etc. Our apprenticeships leave much to be desired, especially with small companies and I can see why a lot of young people do not want to bother with them.

Nicholas Beard ● 2465d

Exactly. Because in Germany they are taught that to achieve your goals you must work hard and complete an apprenticeship or higher education. Here the mindset is that the State must do it all for you and you can get handouts

Steve Taylor ● 2466d

It is only recently that there has been more emphasis on apprenticeships again.  The Germans supposedly have a very successful system for this. As part of the EU many youngsters with dual nationality chose to do this in Germany because they came out of the system with such good skills.

Philippa Bond ● 2466d

You are right Vanessa it seems that everything is on hold because of Brexit. People are made redundant and isnt it strange our government got an opt out from the redundancy payment directive. They did not want the EU telling us what we should receive if we were unfortunate enough to get redundant. It looks like Vauxhall could go now, well of course the uk is the the best place to institute redundancy for a multinational.

Nicholas Beard ● 2466d

"Remember the poverty that people live in. Surely this must have an effect. The UN have been shocked by what they have seen in the UK."Yes, this is real and the government just dismiss this and insist on pursuing their austerity agenda and the roll-out of the discredited Universal Credit with so many faults you really couldn't make it up. Meanwhile the retiring head of the FA gets a whip round of £250,000 from each Premier League club on top of his multi million pound salary and bonus. There is something really, really wrong in this country and it is not down to fecklessness, laziness or lack of ambition, it is down to zero hours contracts, lack of union representation, ever diminishing worker's rights, no real, properly affordable housing and a real lack of opportunity for so many people in the education system in parts of this country. And while the Brexit saga drags on who the hell is dealing with any of this?

Vanessa Smith ● 2466d

Remember the poverty that people live in. Surely this must have an effect. The UN have been shocked by what they have seen in the UK.

Nicholas Beard ● 2467d

"but counting on someone else (councils, government, parents..)"Precisely....and this thread is evidence of that. The government, Councils and parents are blamed because the youth are 'bored' so they join gangs and buy knives etc.The fact is that they don't mind if they go to jail for a while because it is a holiday camp to them and time in jail enhances their status in the gangs.

Steve Taylor ● 2467d

Can I just say - regarding apprentices, in general people wishing to take up an apprenticeship to learn a trade are not always academic too, so why oh why do so many apprenticeships in construction insist on asking for GCSE's in English and Maths A - C and in plumbing and other trades those GCSE's plus a Science subject? This is shutting out so many youngsters willing to learn a practical trade.

Vanessa Smith ● 2467d

Philppa, it’s because we need to create a culture of working hard from the very start. And by saying that I don’t mean hard physical labour – when at school they must study hard, learn and get prepared to earn their salaries once they grow up. People need to invest their time and hard efforts into themselves to be able to sell their skills to the market. There are colleges, apprentices, etc. It’s not good when people get to the age of 18-20-25 without even bothering about getting some skills that would provide for their living, but counting on someone else (councils, government, parents..) to support them. Of course I’m not talking about those who can’t work due to physical conditions and therefore need support.

Alex Shpinkov ● 2467d

Because we have created a generation of lazy louts who are taught that they can make big bucks in crime or winning Big Brother or X factor or other such rubbish. And we pander to them and bend over backwards to encourage them and throw money at them as demonstrated on this thread. Until we teach them that crime doesn’t pay there is no hope.

Steve Taylor ● 2467d

https://fullfact.org/health/nhs-vacancies/Why is it that we don't have enough qualified people here to fill all the vacancies?

Philippa Bond ● 2468d

Well obviously if you join the army, navy, police or a private company, you have to get trained if you start at the bottom. I really don’t understand why you are so negative. Next you will be saying that they must also get an assistant to do the job for them.

Steve Taylor ● 2468d

You don't mention the training and experience required in all these jobs you mention.

Philippa Bond ● 2468d

Yes they are full time but not good pensions. Only government and council staff now enjoy final salary pensions. Everyone else should plan on working until they are 80.  We are now recruiting abroad to fill our positions.

Steve Taylor ● 2469d

I hope they are full time with a good pension!

Nicholas Beard ● 2469d

And from yesterday's reports, wages in the UK have risen to the highest in 10 years. Plenty of well paid jobs around for those who want to work and apply themselves.

Steve Taylor ● 2469d

"The problem now is that there is very little back-up where students have more complex problems and schools have to step up to the plate and fill that gap."So, are you saying that it is because there is very little back up that teachers are leaving state schools to join private schools? I am simply trying to ascertain why so many teachers are leaving? Also, I am not saying for one moment that private school students are angels;  I am saying that private schools have a much lower tolerance for bad behaviour because it is easy enough to exclude students without having to appear before an inquisition board to explain yourself whilst having to also put up with the verbal abuse of some uncouth parents.

Steve Taylor ● 2474d

I know a teacher who worked in the private sector and although different to the state sector was not a panacea. Discipline is missing as you say.

Nicholas Beard ● 2474d

"It's not about pandering and community care and hugging a hoodie. It's about parents taking some responsibility. So many teachers are leaving the state school sector to teach in private schools where parents have to take responsibility. Teaching in a private school is a far safer and more pleasant environment and if a pupil misbehaves they are expelled - it's as simple as that. You don't have head teachers and school governors kowtowing to a few hooligans and irresponsible parents. "I think that's really, really unfair, state schools do not 'kowtow', in fact they bend over backwards to keep students in education as far as they are able. The problem now is that there is very little back-up where students have more complex problems and schools have to step up to the plate and fill that gap. However, don't believe all you read about private schools, they aren't angels just because Ma & Pa are loaded. Hounslow has an exemplary record of providing an excellent education with many students going on to university and contrary to your opinion parents who do support schools, permanent exclusion should always be, and in my experience, is, a last resort.

Vanessa Smith ● 2474d

"Teachers dont stop long at all. If you are earning say £30000.00 and just leave a job there must be something very wrong."Indeed there is too much pressure on the teachers and parents take little responsibility for their childrens' behaviour and education these days. Teachers are totally restricted in disciplining the children - hence you have those who move on to knife crime. It is the parents who are at fault and who are to blame. It's not about pandering and community care and hugging a hoodie. It's about parents taking some responsibility. So many teachers are leaving the state school sector to teach in private schools where parents have to take responsibility. Teaching in a private school is a far safer and more pleasant environment and if a pupil misbehaves they are expelled - it's as simple as that. You don't have head teachers and school governors kowtowing to a few hooligans and irresponsible parents.

Steve Taylor ● 2474d

"why do so many people leave jobs like nursing, teaching and police?"Why do you think?  Because there are just so many jobs available in London that you can earn far more money with far less stress. Police are well paid and I don't think anyone could argue that teachers and nurses shouldn't  be paid more....lots more IMO but this thread isn't about them. It's about the youth who turn to dealing and crime etc instead of applying themselves and going for one of the thousands of jobs that are available to them in London or in the armed services if they just apply themselves and stop making excuses.

Steve Taylor ● 2474d

Yes exactly. Teachers dont stop long at all. If you are earning say £30000.00 and just leave a job there must be something very wrong. Howevever people still deny it. Yes Philippa you are spot on.

Nicholas Beard ● 2474d

If everything is so hunky-dory why do so many people leave jobs like nursing, teaching and police?

Philippa Bond ● 2475d

I believe anyone who reads the papers and is involved in employment will understand that the job market has changed radically in the last 10 years. There are far more jobs available in London now than ever before and salaries have had to be increased radically just to keep staff. It’s an employee market.

Steve Taylor ● 2475d

So you haven't noticed how jobs have changed over the years?  Where have you been?

Philippa Bond ● 2475d

"They just are not worth doing. Generally these jobs also involve long hours."That is nonsense!  There are plenty of good career orientated jobs around where training is provided. This week we heard that the Armed Forces are so desperate to get recruits that they are cancelling residency requirement for Foreigners and Commonwealth citizens. "Ministry of Defence scraps residency requirements in bid to tackle shortfall"The prison services are also desperate for staff. Sorry but I am sick of hearing the violins played because 'there are no jobs' or 'we need more youth community involvement' or 'the youth are bored' These are all feeble and pathetic excuses. There are plenty of jobs for all levels of capability and intelligence and education so lets stop pandering to these criminal.  And the jobs on offer in the UK all provide much higher wages than comparables abroad.

Steve Taylor ● 2475d

Ah, so there are jobs available, but because they are low paid (presumable the potential candidates didn't bother to get training to be able to secure better paid available jobs), zero-hour contracts (seems like potential candidates cannot be bothered with those ones) and/or require long hours (seems like this is too tiring) some people prefer not to go for having a job, but to deal drugs? Or perhaps just to claim benefits?

Alex Shpinkov ● 2475d

Most of theses wonderful jobs are low pay or zero hours contracts. They just are not worth doing. Generally these jobs also involve long hours.

Nicholas Beard ● 2475d

So lets all play doctors and nurses tomorrow!

Philippa Bond ● 2476d

“It is a shame because there aren't as many jobs.”Unemployment is at an all time low. It’s an employee market. We struggle to get staff who are prepared to work and salaries are increasing. The problem is that  many do not want to work if they think they can make much more money dealing drugs with impunity. The answer is to impress upon them that crime doesn’t pay and that prisons aren’t cosy holiday camps.

Steve Taylor ● 2476d

“It is a shame because there aren't as many jobs.”Unemployment is at an all time low. It’s an employee market. We struggle to get staff who are prepared to work and salaries are increasing. The problem is that  many do not want to work if they think they can make much more money dealing drugs with impunity. The answer is to impress upon them that crime doesn’t pay and that prisons aren’t cosy holiday camps.

Steve Taylor ● 2476d

Vanessa you do not have to look at the DM. Thats what came up first on the story.

Nicholas Beard ● 2476d

There is apparently a big problem with children being excluded from school.https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/oct/23/send-special-educational-needs-children-excluded-from-schools

Philippa Bond ● 2476d

There should also be school second hand shops where extra if not all uniform can be found.  It often depends on parents friends and grandparents volunteering.  Volunteering though isn't that popular in this one upmanship money grabbing society. It is a shame because there aren't as many jobs.

Philippa Bond ● 2476d

Nicholas - schools that insist on using certain shops to purchase uniforms are more likely to be independent and if you can afford their fees then you can afford the uniform. The vast majority of state schools allow for parents to buy  uniform items from all major stores, and certainly would help any parent having difficulties.As for your plea to look at the Daily Mail - I think I'd rather stick pins in my eyes.

Vanessa Smith ● 2476d

"So their governments are actually spending more than ours."Because they can afford to because they are smarter than ours. We need the private education because our State system is so bad because it is too scared of discipline!

Steve Taylor ● 2476d

See the Daily Mail article about it. Please check it out and tell me its fake news.

Nicholas Beard ● 2476d

I was watching a programme and they pointed out that some EU countries give up to £400.00 for childrens clothes for school and they dont have uniforms. We have uniforms but dont give anything. On top of it some schools insist you purchase the uniform from designated shops at a high price. In other words you cannot go to ASDA or M&S.

Nicholas Beard ● 2476d

The point is that most EU countries dont rely on private education as much as we do and university fees are lower. So their governments are actually spending more than ours.

Nicholas Beard ● 2476d

I have worked with young people for around 15 years and have never ever heard of dealers hanging around schools or recruiting kids in uniform because they are less likely to be stopped.Most kids get drugs off their mates and it is easier for them to get a bag of weed off their mates than some beers from from the off licence. If anything proves our current drug laws are not working that does. Legalise, tax and regulate ALL drugs and increase the penalties for anyone selling to under 18's. Then use the tax from the sales to fund youth centres, crime diversion and drug education.

Guy Smith ● 2476d

"However when it was examined it included fees for private schools, and students university fees. Which is not government spending."Well that is good isn't it? If some can afford the high costs of private schools, it should be included in 'we' and the government spend 'collectively' as a nation when comparing what other countries spend collectively.  Otherwise we wouldn't be comparing apples with apples.

Steve Taylor ● 2476d

What rubbish - I think everyone is getting completely carried away with all this, although there are problems in many parts of the greater London area we do not have loads of bods hanging around our schools 'recruiting' kids because of their uniforms.The core of the matter is drugs and the money to be made from that and the allied 'businesses' - the constant response has been to try and fight what is  now a well run industry - if we want to do something that  might just stop a lot of this - as I keep saying -  we need politicians with the guts to say we will decriminalise and regulate and take the criminal element out. It is interesting that lots of American states have legalised Cannabis and so has Canada, and guess what? Civilisation as we know it has not come to an end and the economy benefits from a hell of a lot of tax receipts. Drugs are a fact of life, prohibition never has and never will work, time for an adult, mature and open discussion, this is not only a criminal matter it is a public health issue too and it's way past time we stopped behaving like a load of Victorian maiden aunts and woke up to the very real problems this is causing.

Vanessa Smith ● 2476d

"Khan has said in not so many words that he is unable to sort out what some consider to be ,if not potentially the worst then the worst problem that London currently faces. He does not inspire confidence in me, nor many others I shouldn't wonder."Precisely!!  Khan is just waffle talk and no action. He is out of his depth entirely.  He should spend a day getting advice from Giuliani. New York is now clean and safe comparatively speaking. London is an environmental disaster.

Steve Taylor ● 2476d

"I think if the school insists on a uniform then the govermant should pay. "Why?  - surely all school children have to wear uniforms. Those on benefits get assistance anyway.

Steve Taylor ● 2476d

That is exactly right!

Nicholas Beard ● 2476d

Yes..it's partly down to money and partly down to the message sent out from the powers, including Police, that be.There are probably a few areas, and I mean just a few, of foreign aid where we could perhaps save a few hundred million quid here and there and put more money into areas like this.

Keith Iddon ● 2476d

I agree its money of course. Look at what we spend on the health compared to other countries. I also read but I dont know if its true. A table of spending on education showed us near the top spenders which was very strange. However when it was examined it included fees for private schools, and students university fees. Which is not government spending.

Nicholas Beard ● 2476d

It is - or at least should be - accepted that no-one individual can change big issues overnight. The seeds of what Sadiq Khan is trying to cope with were sewn in the reign of one Boris Johnson. As is the case in the US where Trump is taking credit for a lot of what Obama started in terms of the economy. Whatever you think - a lot of this comes down to money - money to invest in public services which the Tories have  and continue to slash to pieces. See Philip Hammond's nasty digs at the teachers today over his pathetic - 'little extras' comment - they haven't a bloody clue how the other half live.

Vanessa Smith ● 2476d

Hi SamI am afraid we will have to agree to disagree This Mornings Headline TEENAGE BOY FIGHTS FOR LIFE AFTER BEING STABBED IN NORTHWEST LONDON

Robert Ayres ● 2476d

But the proposed stats that you brought up re: microwaves would not be comparing like with like. One would be accidental death caused by electrical malfunction, the other as a result of violence by another.It didn't that Giuliani that length of time to sort out New York and its worse problems than we have.If I did have a stab (npi) at being for mayor, I would not have an ineffectual and self obsessed party machine to please and toady to. Khan has said in not so many words that he is unable to sort out what some consider to be ,if not potentially the worst then the worst problem that London currently faces. He does not inspire confidence in me, nor many others I shouldn't wonder.

Keith Iddon ● 2476d

That was my point, we can all bring up statistics to back up any agenda we might have, but they might very well not be relevant.I’d be interested to hear your ideas for how to tackle knife crime, hell, maybe you could run for mayor if you’d do a much better job than Sadiq!

Sam Pollard ● 2476d

No need for that old chap..and your microwave scenario I could also say was irrelevant, unless of course the deaths were caused by microwaves being used as a deadly weapons by one man on another. There is nothing accidental about someone dying as a result of being stabbed. I know it will take time to sort this out, but it should never have been allowed to get to the stage we are at, 2 kids being killed every week. Khan's statement could be interpreted as suggesting that the solution will not happen on his watch or even the one after that(if we are unlucky enough for him to be elected again)and the solutions he has offered don't exactly get the heart racing with enthusiasm. Don't read the Mail btw...sorry to disappoint.

Keith Iddon ● 2476d

Nicholas, assuming you mean this article: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5979661/Top-grammar-school-Dane-Court-warned-police-pupil-stabbed-death-12-months.htmlYou really need to stop taking anything the Daily Mail says seriously. It’s a disgusting, fearmongering propaganda rag. Only a fool would take anything it reports on at face value.

Sam Pollard ● 2476d

I read an article about it and that was the conclusion. Also in Kent they alledgidly told a top grammar school head that one of his pupils can be expected to be stabbed within the next twelve months.

Nicholas Beard ● 2476d

If it's that easy to avoid police interest wouldn't gangs just take to wearing smarter clothes? Surely it is the fact that they're children - rather than their uniform - that makes the police less likely to stop them?

Benjamin Inwood ● 2476d

Children in smart uniforms are being targeted as drugs carriers as they are less likely to be stopped than say somebody with a hood. I think if the school insists on a uniform then the govermant should pay.

Nicholas Beard ● 2476d

(DT comment was aimed at original poster)I must confess Nicholas, I don't understand the point type making about school uniforms. Are you pro or anti and what connection do they have to crime?

Benjamin Inwood ● 2476d

I have not mentioned DT. However he calls the tune in that he tells us who we can and cannot trade with.

Nicholas Beard ● 2476d

Why are you so obsessed with Donald Trump?

Benjamin Inwood ● 2476d

The uniform does make them targets for recruitement as drugs runners though, if it is a smart uniform however.

Nicholas Beard ● 2476d

Robert and Keith, I’m going to respectfully tell you that you’re both wrong.Firstly, Robert, taking your view of the country from a man who (when he made his outlandish statements about our city being a war-zone had not actually been here) is just a bit silly really, is it not? Why not take a look outside for yourself? Do you have to put on your bulletproof vest and helmet when popping to Morrison’s? Are you unable to sleep due to fear of a drone strike on your house at any moment? Do you live in a trench? No? Well you’re not in a war-zone are you.Secondly, Keith, statistics can be moulded to fit whatever agenda you want to push, so your comment about more deaths than any year of the Afghan war is kind of redundant. I could spend time here saying that in the UK x% of deaths were caused by microwaves, yet in the Afghan war there were no deaths by microwaves. Time to ban microwaves?I think it’s absolutely pathetic that neither of you can take a step back and realise that tackling knife crime is a process that will take time, rather than something a Tory mayor would be able to snap his fingers and fix. I’m sure the Daily Mail would lead you to believe that stepping out your front door is like walking into the Helmand Province, but I can assure you it’s not, and I’m willing to bet anyone who has actually been to a war-zone would be disgusted by your comments.

Sam Pollard ● 2476d

I'm gonna go with "no part whatsoever".

Benjamin Inwood ● 2476d

I see the latest idea is to stagger school exit times. What part do school uniforms play in this I wonder?

Nicholas Beard ● 2476d

More British deaths than in any year of the Afghan war.

Keith Iddon ● 2477d

118 Homicides in London since January. Trump was lying was he 76 by Stabbing 12 by Shooting . War zone sounds like one to me

Robert Ayres ● 2477d

"Why potential 'youth workers' don't work?"You need to explain what you mean about this one.

Philippa Bond ● 2477d

"No ideas except blame it on cuts in the police, blame it on austerity, in fact blame it on anything except them."I mean, cuts to the police would usually be the cause for increased crime, so not sure what your point is here."Obviously Donald Trump was lying when he said knife crime in London was out of control."Well, he was. He said it's like a war-zone. I don't feel I live in a war-zone at all. Do you?"bring back hanging"We may as well bring back burning witches at the stake too if we're going to go back to that archaic way of thinking.

Sam Pollard ● 2477d

I love this sort of 'researches'. Perhaps one of the few potentially interesting statements there is this one:"Councils revealed high numbers of job losses among youth workers. From 737 full-timeequivalent youth service workers in 2011/12 among 20 councils, total employment fell to just452 jobs by 2016/17 – a cut in staffing of nearly 40 per cent that mirrors the cut in funding."But interestingly enough, the fact that job losses mirror the cuts does not necessarily mean that the job losses were because of the cut.Why potential 'youth workers' don't work?

Alex Shpinkov ● 2477d

https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/london_lost_youth_services_sian_berry_jan2017.pdf

Philippa Bond ● 2477d

"why there are so many people working and yet they don't earn enough to live."Indeed, why?And how much do you think is "enough to live"?

Alex Shpinkov ● 2477d

In Scotland where knife - and other crime - has been treated differently it HAS taken years to get the figure down - whatever is done it will not happen overnight. Sadiq Khan is correct when he says we need to spend more money on policing and it IS the government's austerity policies that have landed us in this mess.We do have a gang problem fuelled by the lucrative trade in drugs and God alone knows what else, prostitution, trafficking, yet no-one wants to smell the coffee and have the guts to consider just for one moment what legalisation of drugs might achieve. Nothing so far has worked yet millions has been thrown at this, time to at least try to bite the bullet on this and have an adult conversation without having a fit of the vapours.

Vanessa Smith ● 2477d

Yes it was quite embarrassing to hear our esteemed Mayor trying to defend his uselessness against John Humphrys. He is so out of his league it's laughable. All he can bleat on about is getting these villains into youth centres and the Boy Scouts etc. Yes the the hardworking Taxpayer must throw more money at the gangs who quite openly admit it is easier to rob and plunder and deal drugs and weapons  to get loads of money rather than to even attempt to get a job.

Steve Taylor ● 2477d

What Youth Service?I think that you need to have a word with yourself to remember to look at a bigger picture.The rich are getting richer, the gap between rich and poor is increasing and why there are so many people working and yet they don't earn enough to live.

Philippa Bond ● 2477d

The majority of research done into the death penalty has found no evidence that it is a deterrent. Are you comfortable with the UK being put in the  same bracket as Saudi Arabia, Iran, China and the US?Who are 'these people' that you refer to?

Guy Smith ● 2477d

Oh I see that's it. The Government has not given the police enough money so that's a good excuse for some scumbag to pick up a knife and plunge into some poor innocent person. If and when they are caught they can use the lack of police funding as a defence. "Duh! its not my fault, I only done it as there was not enough police on the street due to a lack of Government funding" . Have a word with yourself.

Robert Ayres ● 2477d

Get a grip. That's something the Mayor not doing is it ?.Ten years to solve knife crime. What's  his idea we wait until they all stab one another to death. The reason or context  for which Trump used London knife crime does not bother me. What does bother me is the state of total lawlessness on our streets. Give the Police and Youth service more money for what ? .The fact is the police have lost control of the streets and it's not because of money it's because of the liberal approach taken by the lefty do-gooders who hamstrung them with no stop and search.What are the youth service going to do ? Take them all camping, tell them not to be naughty don't stab your Neighbour. These people only understand one thing,force,and that's what's needed. It's no good talking when your house is burning down. We have not had capital punishment for years, we have had the liberal approach and look what's happened murder rates are through the roof.

Robert Ayres ● 2477d

It is Government Austerity that has caused this.  Did you not hear the Government Minister this morning blaming the Universities for not managing their funds well enough? So let's chuck the students out...Why do you think there is not enough money in the Police service when the Police stations are being closed and sold off to finance what is left of the Police service.  This Government is reducing the size of state involvement and that means cutting all state services.  It's all alright until you need them.  It also cuts the jobs of a lot of people with experience - not something that you can easily just pick up again to make something work well as you won't have them to mentor newcomers.  Just look at the mess that privatised companies can make of this.

Philippa Bond ● 2477d

How about putting more money into the Police and Youth Services? The cost of locking someone up for a year is around £23,000 so to lock them up for 20 years will cost around £460,000. Surely that money would be better invested in the Police and Youth Services?As for the 'bring back hanging' argument, get a grip! What you are saying is that killing someone is wrong so because you did that we are going to kill you! Trump made the comments about knife crime in London whilst he was trying to justify the insane gun laws in the USA whilst he we was talking to the NRA. Obviously both Trump and the NRA are entirely trustworthy sources of information.

Guy Smith ● 2477d

72% of those carrying a knife do not get a prison sentence. There is a prison sentence at the moment so increasing it will make no difference if its not used.

Nicholas Beard ● 2477d