Following on from stokemaverics post below, I think its the causes we should be looking at, and i'm sure that at one time or another, some of you would have put your fingers on why all this is happening.
I think this lady has it about right, and if you haven't read this article, I would ask you to do so.
The cause hardly matters anymore, since it is mostly theoretical, and would require addressing deeply ingrained patterns of culture and behaviour (and evil).
NOTHING can stop certain youths carrying and using knives (or guns), and as long as metal exists and can be fashioned into weapons this will continue.
It is here in Britain, it is here to stay, best advice is to avoid it and hope they just continue to kill each other. In certain areas, I wouldn't even bother policing it anymore.
I notice that neither of Phillips' examples of New York and Middlesbrough actually featured extensive use of 'stop-and-search' measures.
The overwhelming cause for most crime in the UK (though granted as far as I know it doesn't apply to the Mizen/Knox cases) is actually drug-related in some way. Removing control of the drug supply from those underground would severely reduce crime but naturally the 'moral majority' won't hear of it.
Another big issue is the decline in number of police on the streets (notice that an extra 7,000 police were hired during the drop in NYC's crime rate). Rises in bureaucracy since the late 80s/early 90s has reduced the number of officers on-the-ground.
I respect your position too Lonnie, but can anybody begin to tell me what anybody can actually DO, e.g. as of tomorrow. How do you change a culture, how do you educate the ineducable?
If you were on a train, and opposite you was a hooded yoof, drinking and smoking, feet on the seats, a look of dumb insolence - would you ask him to take his feet off the seats?
Quinlad, most sadly, there isn't even a long-term fix.
Britain's culture has changed. A shame that so few people grew up to see what was actually happening, preferring instead to brush over the bleedin' obvious.