Two Strikes And You’Re Out On The Carrying Of Knives.

[anotheoldgit]

A previous post was on the killing by stabbing of an elderly gent, will this latest mandatory “two strikes and you’re out’’ minimum six-month prison sentence for carrying a knife, be one way of cutting down the number of knife carriers on our streets?

And how will it be implicated, by also increasing the number of stop and searches? Well and we all know how some can get so upset at the mere mention of that.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/07/two-strikes-rule-jailing-carry-knives

[Gromit]

The prisons are full, so they will have let out the rapists and murders out even earlier to make room these new criminals.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/warning-over-huge-zombie-killer-knives-used-as-status-symbols-by-london-gangs-10396184.html

/// Police are also installing “surrender” knife bins in 16 boroughs across
London ///

/// The surrender bins - sponsored by the charity Words for Weapons - are being set up in boroughs worst hit by the recent rise in knife crime. ///

Make up your own jokes about this.

[Peter Pedant]

// Well and we all know how some can get so upset at the mere mention of that. // yeah like half the population of Tottenham ....

Three strikes and you are out doesnt work that well in America ....

[youngmafbog]

The idea is sound. However Gromit is correct, apart from the glib remark on letting out rapists, prisons are full.

First we should build more prisons, proper tough prisons with no playsations or tv's but plenty of rehab and learning.

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

/// The prisons are full, so they will have let out the rapists and murders out even earlier to make room these new criminals. ///

Or perhaps the petty thieves, handlers of stolen goods, fraud or forgery persons, or the Licence dodgers maybe.

Much better to get those who threaten life locked away.

[youngmafbog]

//Three strikes and you are out doesnt work that well in America//

I think Rudy Giuliani may disagree there. It certainly helped in NY.

[naomi24]

To make room they could always keep the rapists and murderers in and put those who’ve committed lesser crimes on long term, full time, community service. I don't think every prisoner is a danger to society.

[youngmafbog]

You cant let licence dodgers get away with it AOG. How will the BBC pay for lefty propaganda ?

[Old_Geezer]

Of course in this case it means out of society and in gaol for a bit; not a case of throw away the key. I think it is probably worth trying but there are consequences.

Gromit has already mentioned the risk of excessive custodial sentences to gaols that have no room. Then there is the thought that some can honestly say they have them for protection as anyone would living in that area. Possession not being the same as use. Not that it should be an excuse but it is understandable.

If it works then fine, a better community will result, but one will have to wait and see. Chances are they won't deter thugs, but at least will make others think twice.

[anotheoldgit]

youngmafbog

/// First we should build more prisons, proper tough prisons with no playsations or tv's but plenty of rehab and learning. ///

Well perhaps that would solve the housing problem for the illegal immigrants, much better than putting them up in hotels.

[anotheoldgit]

Old_Geezer

/// Then there is the thought that some can honestly say they have them for protection as anyone would living in that area. Possession not being the same as use. Not that it should be an excuse but it is understandable. ///

Maybe guns then also? Much better than getting in too close.

[Gromit]

I actually hope this works. Unfortunately it seems ill thought out.

[youngmafbog]

yes, I have to agree with you Gromit.

[anotheoldgit]

It seems funny that only the Guardian seem to be reporting on this even to last year when Labour backed the Tories ousting the LibDems vote against.

The have even reported on it today, I wonder why, oh wait a minute?

/// Meanwhile, Home Office figures show that the number of police officers has fallen by a further 1,091 over the past year to 126,818. The number of operational frontline officers fell to 113,134 at the end of March, 12,000 fewer than in 2010 as a result of the austerity budget cuts. ///

Ah that explains it.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/jul/16/knife-in-england-and-wales-up-for-first-time-in-four-years

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

/// Unfortunately it seems ill thought out. ///

How would you improve on it Gromit?

[whiskeryron]

I know I will be labelled ''An Old Fogy'' but may I suggest the time has come to bring back some form of corporal punishment, the thugs who go about hurting people would not like pain officially applied to themselves. I can remember my father telling me that he witnessed a man who had been convicted of GBH being flogged with a birch cane, & as my dad said '' the guy would not want the experience repeated''

[Gromit]

The current law has a maximum £5,000 fine and up to 4 years in prison.

There is no mention of second chances, so presumably that could happen for a 1st offence, or even a 2nd offence.The new legislation just makes prison mandatory for the second offence.

I am not sure much has changed.
Not sure enough has changed to either change habits or be more of a deterent

[jourdain2]

AOG - there's a problem here. I always used to carry a knife (to sharpen drawing pencils, I prefer to be able to get an angle and a sharpener would not do).

I also know know a lady who, waiting for a train with her elderly mother on Skipton Railway station, took out a fruit knife to pare an apple for her mother and was descended upon by the guards etc. demanding that she put it away or leave!!!!! A total over-reaction.

People need to use knives. Honestly! The rule must be that it is the intent to use them that is illegal. Either that or infinitely nit-picking rules have to be applied. There is a big difference between a fruit knife, a penknife and the other sorts.

[anotheoldgit]

jourdain2

When I was a lad, I and my mates all carried a sheath knife on our belts, we didn't stab each other or anyone else for that matter.

What has changed?

[Gromit]

AOG,
Did you live in the London inner city? Because that is mainly where knife crime is a problem.
Things have changed, there is more gang culture today. But the problem isn't entirely immigrants. White thugs use knives just as much as the savages.