"But the debate around tackling it must be more profound."
I agree but i think the answer is simple. Stop and search, metal detectors in the streets like there was at Nottingham carnival.
So many people say stop and search is against their rights, but that's because they're carrying weapons or drugs. The more someone doesn't want stop and search, surely the more suspicious? So simple.. stop and search them with force. If they find a bag of weed or some cocaine maybe just throw it down the drain and say "we're looking for weapons" but if they find a knife, then arrest them. Give them 5 years.
I think if this policy / principle was known by knife carriers and society, then less people would carry knifes.
If someone is offended for being chosen for stop and search, so what? who cares. Someones life is potentially at risk.
Biggest issue really is police don't have as much power as they need regarding stopping and searching. Maybe for the good but when it comes to knife crime certainly not.