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Knife Amnesty for UK Youths
A five-week nationwide knives amnesty is being launched in the summer in an attempt to drive down numbers of stabbings. More than 230 people were stabbed to death last year and concern over levels of knife crime have been highlighted by the killing of City lawyer Tom ap Rhys Pryce last month.
Crime in general has risen markedly in the last couple of years and offences of violence in the area where Rhys Pryce was attacked are nearly twice the London average. Only one conclusion…it must be the Knives!
Under the amnesty, which will run between 24 May and 30 June in England, Wales and Scotland, members of the public can leave bladed weapons in drop-in bins which will be provided at police stations throughout the country without fear of prosecution.
Criminals are also encouraged to drop off any scissors, shears, or anything with a pointy end.
Gilllette is selling a five-bladed safety razor. Does that count?
Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, said: "Tackling knife culture, especially among young people, is paramount to the safety of our communities, and I am determined to reduce the devastation caused by knife crime."
Besides, it is more dignified to be bludgeoned about the head and neck. (ala A Clockwork Orange)
He added: "Carrying knives on the streets will not be tolerated. Every weapon handed in during the amnesty will be a weapon that cannot be used in crime."
Of course according to Clarkes’ logic that would also suggest that every knife handed in cannot be used to slice bread as well. So there must be some pending legislation on the horizon…and blimey…here it is.
The amnesty coincides with measures in the Violent Crime Bill, which is currently passing through Parliament, which raises the minimum age for buying a knife from 16 to 18. It also gives headteachers the power to search pupils for weapons.
There is a clever genius to these programs. It is completely impossible to calculate what impact they might have on crime rates. Should the statistics fall in your favor, slap yourself on the back for a job bloody well done. Should crime rates rise or even remain static there are plenty of other external forces to blame. If this doesn’t succeed, perhaps the next effort is to bring a lawsuit against the cutlery industry.
Posted by: DepotGuy 2006-02-11
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=142331