Forum Topic

Knives

Instead of the Government worrying about pollution why are they not doing more about carrying knives. 5 yrs for being found with a knife and goodbye for stabbing. Too much time spent on roads and fumes, instead of dealing with youngsters. Is it the way they were brought up or from a country where stabbing is a daily occurrence. Because should we be letting in all these individuals, as this is getting scary. Something happened again in the High Street, outside Rymans by the bus stop, one of the staff told me. Somebody ran in asking for a first aid box, then a doctor in the shop at the time and the Security guard ran out. Somebody on here might know more about this. Most of the Government have Security Guards, but never mind about us.

Barbara Stevens ● 62d20 Comments

Some years ago (2015) I was recommended and remember watching a documentary detailing the search for the murderer of a Bristol teenager.  It documented the heartbreak of a religious and law abiding family when the son who has made it through school and is now starting out on learning a trade makes a mistake and gets himself into trouble that he can't get out of.https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/seminal-documentary-follows-bristol-murder/

Philippa Bond ● 56d

Thank you for your good wishes. I shall pop up now and then.I enjoy the disagreement. It is the only way to argue, after all.

David Ainsworth ● 57d

Mr AinsworthI am sorry if you find people disagreeing with your opinions so exhausting and such a waste of your time.I feel a little guilty.Have a good rest.It was good to converse with you and I am sure you will be missed.

John Hawkes ● 57d

It is hard to give up arguing, but I am trying. It saves me pointlessly wasting a lot of time.

David Ainsworth ● 57d

Mr AinsworthThank you for your proof reading skills.I added 'Notting Hill' to the BBC quote.My mistake.Glad this was the only part of my contribution you could find fault with !

John Hawkes ● 57d

"The West End area of Westminster (Notting Hill ?) has the highest rate in the country with 35.5 violent knife crimes per 10,000 residents."Now, you can trust this source:-"West End Ward covers the iconic areas of Mayfair, Soho, Fitzrovia and East Marylebone. Along Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street and the surrounding areas, it includes some of Britain’s busiest shopping streets and is home to large numbers of theatres, entertainment and cultural venues. Many of London’s top creative industries, including Savile Row, the post-production facilities in Soho and art galleries and auctioneers are situated within the ward. It is one of the world’s most vibrant areas, with millions of visitors a year, and a vibrant and diverse economy including many evening and night-time venues.The ward is currently represented by three Labour councillors." https://www.westminsterconservatives.com/west-end#:~:text=West%20End%20Ward%20covers%20the,Soho%2C%20Fitzrovia%20and%20East%20Marylebone.Notting Hill is in RBKC.

David Ainsworth ● 57d

Mr Rose,This article gives a wider perspective of why knife crime is rising - especially in London and other big cities.https://www.spiked-online.com/2023/09/29/the-croydon-stabbing-in-the-shadow-of-nihilism/The main reasons in my view that the 'black community' seem to be most involved is two fold.1) the adoption of black male machismo culture imported from the US and promoted in rap music culture.Note how so many killers or killed are described as 'rappers'.2) much of our immigration is of people from alien cultures where often male attitudes dominate including misogyny (read about the reported reasons for the recent killing in Croydon); social grouping is based on male gangs rather than family and disputes are usually settled with violence.The perpetrators are also uneducated and unemployable - should they want to work rather than trade drugs which leads to turf wars,'Sixteen of the 20 most dangerous places in England and Wales for serious knife crime offences are in London, a BBC investigation has found. The West End area of Westminster (Notting Hill ?) has the highest rate in the country with 35.5 violent knife crimes per 10,000 residents.Haringey, Islington, Hackney, Camden and Brent also feature highly'.And my own experience of living in West Croydon close to London Road would lead me to believe this borough would fall not far behind though the recent stabbing of the young girl is apparently the first for 22 months.I repeat my contribution to cutting down on knife crime - more stop and search on all those acting suspiciously in likely locations whatever their skin colour and ignore complaints by self-appointed black community leaders.When he gets back from his flight to New Zealand where he represented London in order to 'save the planet' perhaps we will hear what Mayor Khan plans to do to 'save our communities'.

John Hawkes ● 57d

The spate of knife attacks, which the figures show mainly affects the Black community in London, has left many Black mothers terrified to see their sons leave the house in the morning. The biggest threat to the lives of young black men, however, is not racist thugs, nor is it the police. It is other young black men. Unfortunately the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence and one or two unjustified killings by the police have allowed Black Lives Matter activists to ignore this fact. Courageous people like Trevor Phillips who point this out are pilloried by their own community. White people remain largely silent, afraid of being called racist if they intervene in the debate.

Steven Rose ● 57d

Elephant in the RoomThe full text of the amended(London Assembly motion 10/2/22) motion is:This Assembly is concerned that despite making up only 13% of London’s total population, black Londoners account for 45% of London’s knife murder victims, 61% of knife murder perpetrators and 53% of knife crime perpetrators.This means black Londoners are disproportionately more likely to be victims and perpetrators of knife crime.

Hugh Thompson ● 57d

https://theconversation.com/stop-and-search-disproportionately-affects-black-communities-yet-police-powers-are-being-extended-165477There is more here with links on how reasons for the problems together with figures/graphs and also showing that it is causing more resentment and problems than it is solving.

Philippa Bond ● 57d

I don't think so.https://theconversation.com/bikestormz-politicians-take-note-young-people-will-stand-against-unfairness-94697

Philippa Bond ● 58d

Perhaps knife crime might be reduced if Mayor Khan publicly supported more 'stop and search' by the police towards likely knife carriers.

John Hawkes ● 61d

I do not think they are out in full display.Not too sure it was in a Sainsbury's, but boxes were left empty and you needed to ask the staff for whichever you needed.

Ivonne Holliday ● 61d

Also I wonder shops such as Sainsbury's etc, that now expect you to serve yourself, how many youngsters manage to get knives and go out self checkout. Your meant to be a certain age to be able to purchase.

Barbara Stevens ● 61d

So much negativity.

Clifford Cowell ● 62d

Barbara,The issue of carrying knives is very frightening.  I remember years ago, knife carrying was a rage in the US and they resorted to putting airport style of metal detectors (Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screeners???).....  It reached our shores, sadly.  I am not convinced this is due to immigration....I am no expert on these matters and do not have a solution for the problem other than suggest that more sport, more education and less social media would be amazingly helpful....Michael I posted a photograph of Bikestormz today.  Bikestormz is a youth movement in London, where young people, no matter their background, come together and ride – always with the mission to raise awareness for and protest against knife crime.  Bikestormz community are about to wheelie (it happened on 19 August 2023) through the streets of London and call for “knives down, bikes up”.This is a very good start indeed!  I wish more groups were organized throughout the UK.

Ivonne Holliday ● 62d

I really don’t know what they can do about it?  I would not want to be the police stopping and searching someone who is armed with the weapons they use now.  Really difficult job for the police.

Martine Guy ● 62d

Putney used to be a reasonable place to live, but it's going downhill fast. Putney won't be the place of expensive properties with all what is happening.  Decent residents will be worrying about their children as they won't know who is walking the streets. It's not a punch up like the old days once a knife is used you don't stand a chance.

Barbara Stevens ● 62d

I don’t know what can be done about knife crime.  There seems to be no answer. A friend told me yesterday about the stabbing on PHS.  She said 2 of the men who hang about outside the train station started arguing and I think they moved onto outside Rymans.  Not sure whether the location of the stabbing was outside Rymans or the station, but the man who was stabbed was in a really bad way. My friend also gave me more details about the dog attack that I posted about recently.  It took place in Lacy Road by The Jolly Gardeners,  when she was taking her child to Hotham.  Really unpleasant incident, not just the dog attacking the other dog but the loud arguing and shouting between the dog owners.  Children were upset at what was happening.  I hope to get more details on this.

Martine Guy ● 62d

Sainsbury's staff told me yesterday.

Barbara Stevens ● 62d