Letters to the editor: Rise in knife crime is alarming

We can no longer allow knife crime to be a hidden issue
16 September 2015
WEST END FINAL

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I write this after hearing about the latest in a horrifying series of youth murders in the capital [“Boy, 16, stabbed in Elephant and Castle mob attack”, September 15]. No parent should ever have to bury their child, and I cannot stand by as the madness of history continues to repeat itself.

Stop and Search is a controversial topic — one that has stirred up any amount of criticism of the police. But what I have seen during more than two decades close to the front line of policing shows Stop and Search saves lives — it’s as simple as that.

We, the police, have an absolute responsibility to use the power professionally and appropriately. However, we also need to understand that Stop and Search is not, in itself, the solution to knife crime — it is simply the means of stemming the flow. This is a “whole society” problem — one that demands a “whole society” solution — and what is required is a long-term, joined-up response, based on a true understanding of the reasons why any young person would pick up a knife — and why they would choose to use it.
Chief superintendent John Sutherland, Metropolitan Police

I was deeply saddened to see today that another life has been taken on the streets of London. It is tragic that young men such as Mohammed Kwenga, 16, are dying because of such senseless acts of violence.

We can no longer allow knife crime to be a hidden issue. Knife crime with injury has risen significantly in the past 12 months, with almost 500 more offences, a 14 per cent rise. At the same time “serious youth violence” offences have risen by eight per cent.

The Mayor has taken far too long to acknowledge this deeply concerning rise, with not enough done to support communities touched by these abhorrent acts. I sincerely hope that no other family or community will have to see another young person’s life taken on the streets.
Joanne McCartney AM, Labour London Assembly policing spokesperson

The rise in the number of knife crime incidents in London among teenagers is a serious cause for concern. As a charity which has supported thousands of victims of knife crime, we know how devastating these types of offences can be, particularly for young people and their families.

After years of success in driving knife crime down, this recent incident combined with the rise is a worrying development and efforts to educate people about the dangers of carrying knives must be stepped up.
Lucy Hastings, director, Victim Support

Khan sees logic of backing Gatwick

I would like to congratulate Sadiq Khan on being chosen as Labour’s mayoral candidate and for deciding to support Gatwick’s new runway bid.

As highlighted in Pippa Crerar’s interview [September 14], he chose to support Gatwick after the true extent of Heathrow’s air quality problem became clear. Heathrow already breaches legal air quality limits and expansion will only cause this to deteriorate, risking ill health for those who live locally. This would clearly jeopardise Mr Khan’s stated aim of improving the quality of life for Londoners, and it’s clear that he recognises the crucial balance between boosting the economy while protecting the environment.

The Government has promised a decision on expansion within three months and it is vital the benefits of expansion are considered alongside the impact on local people.
Stewart Wingate, CEO, Gatwick Airport

Tax credit cut will hit lower-paid workers

Nick Clegg is right when he says workers are being betrayed [“Nick Clegg: Worker’s party? What baloney”, Comment, September 10]. But it is not just people on the national minimum wage who will be losers if tax credits are cut next April. They will be joined by cleaners, healthcare assistants, shop workers, secretaries and factory workers, who will all be more than £1,000-a-year worse off.

On Monday, MPs voted on the regulations that will cut the income of millions of families — this is a massive Treasury raid on working families. The Government hopes no one will notice while the nation’s attention is on the refugee crisis and on Jeremy Corbyn’s first days as Labour leader.
Dave Prentis, Unison general secretary

Twickenham by rail is always crowded

Your article highlighted the probable overcrowding on South West Trains during the Rugby World Cup [September 14] but this is hardly a new issue. Rugby fans heading to Twickenham have for years been ill-served by the company’s apparent unwillingness to provide extra capacity on big match days.

It has known about this tournament for seven or eight years, so it should have planned for this.
Richard Nemeth

Green Party seems to be losing the plot

Green Party mayoral candidate Siân Berry accused Sadiq Khan of adopting “their” issues to win selection — how astonishing. Surely environmental issues are everybody’s issues?
Paul Barlow

I’m astonished that the Green Party supports unsustainable immigration and house building. Shouldn’t they be striving to preserve the green spaces in our rapidly dwindling countryside?

Green Party mayoral candidate Siân Berry accused Sadiq Khan of adopting “their” issues to win selection — how astonishing. Surely environmental issues are everybody’s issues?

Paul Barlow

I’m astonished that the Green Party supports unsustainable immigration and house building. Shouldn’t they be striving to preserve the green spaces in our rapidly dwindling countryside?
Vanessa

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