KNIFE CRIME

By Sandy_Bottom at 11:52 on 10/09/09

Re-post

With knife crimes up 77% in Devon and Cornwall over the past ten years it is not surprising that in our community we hear reports or threats or attacks with knifes.

It is worrying to read the report of the recent knife threat at Pilton school and last year's attack at Bideford College.

Some people blame the parents but what is it in the youth culture that makes these children carry and use knives against eachother. Surely they must know how seriously they can injure or be injured with a sharp blade before they decide to carry one about?

Is it gang mentality? Showing off? Do they really not consider the consequences or do they not care?

By Sandy_Bottom at 11:52 on 10/09/09
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I wonder what would happen if, when stopped and found carrying a knife, the person carrying the knife was asked to discect an animal?
Ask any biology teacher about the reaction in the classroom when it's time to cut up frogs and eyeballs!
I really do not think that the people carrying the knives realise what the potential outcome of using it would be.

Many children at school today have never used a knife for a practical purpose. ie peeling vegetables, cutting a block of cheese etc. This is often the fault of the parent as they worry the child may cut themselves! This has resulted in children seeing a knife as a weapon and not as a tool. I can remember as a child whittling a piece of wood to make a flute and cutting my finger quite badly - I can still remember the pain and it makes me feel quite sick, which is why I could never use a knife as a weapon. A lesson well learnt.
Empathy is the key to solving violent crime. When was the last time you asked yourself, "if I do this, how is it going to affect the lives of others?"
Think of others before yourself - now where did I hear that?

By lazydays at 14:59 on 10/09/09
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Lazydays has hit the nail on the head. How many of today's children or young people are taught about the consequences of their actions on others? Anyone heard of cause & effect?

Wherever we go, we will never be able to escape the consequences of our actions - they will surely catch-up with us sooner or later. Unfortunately, as was mentioned in the original post, the majority who use knives to threaten or wound are not interested in the consequences and if brought face-to-face with them will complain loudly about how unfair life is & how it isn't their fault, & so on....ad nauseam.

By Craddock28 at 21:48 on 10/09/09
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But WHY?

Why do you believe that these people (and they are not just youngsters) don't care about others? What is it in our society that has lead to this.

Surely just over one generation things can't have changed so much? So, can we blame parents and the education system?

By A_McCormack at 08:06 on 11/09/09
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Why blame anybody else? The person carrying or using a knife is the only person responsible for their actions. I do not believe that these people "don't care about others", I believe that they do not think about the consequences of their actions.

Parents, the education system and the society in general are jointly responsible for educating people to know right from wrong.

Lots of things have changed in just one generation - man has landed on the moon, most people have a bank account, supermarkets are the method of shopping, zebra crossings have been phased out for pelican crossings, most young women can now drive a car - the list is endless.
These things changing have affected the way society operates. People do not interact as they did in the past and so have become less tolerant of people outside of their own social circle.
I cannot state categorically who I feel is responsible, but I feel that if we all looked out for each other there would be less violent crime

By lazydays at 10:40 on 11/09/09
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I am not so sure that the carrying of knives is the biggest problem here. Remember the Teddy Boys, Mods and Rockers decades ago?
What is changing is the willingness too use a weapon, be it knife, gun, bottle, stick, etc. Again, this is not new. Such a willingness was common in history but mercifully not so during the past century. During that period we had the horror of world wars. My generation was brought up with toys and magazines that purported to be violent and deadly but were generally visually unrealistic. Modern technological improvements have produced toys, weapons, video games, TV dramas, etc. that portray a measure of realism but are devoid of the reality of accompanying suffering and pain. Violence has been sanitized.
Some young people will claim to carry knives for protection. Gang rivalry has always been with us (it is the root of war) and the myth on the streets is that no one is safe. A fear is generated that is fed by hyped up media stories. Crime itself is far outweighed by the fear of crime.
The facts are that most young people are law abiding and pleasant individuals. Their lives and stories do not generally create banner headlines. The public, as responded to by the news media, crave the unusual and sensational.
Whilst the growing level of violence is a real concern, let us be thankful that it is still rare enough to be 'newsworthy'.

By Streetpastor at 18:32 on 11/09/09
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Although some very valid points have been made, I think it's true to say that when we're young (yes, I was young once too!!) we think we're invincible. I remember stubbing out a lighted cigarette with my foot on the carpet in Wimpeys in Bideford about 40 years ago & completely ignoring the outrage on the faces of a middle-aged couple sitting at the next table. I feel ashamed now just thinking about my behaviour but I didn't give a toss at the time. Quite a minor misdemeanour compared to some of the things we have to accept nowadays.

As the last two posters quite rightly mentioned, times have changed considerably & we seem to have to be 'programmed' to accept more violence now. There are also a lot of lovely young people around but we don't hear about them because they don't make sensational news. Equally, there are some ignorant & obnoxious older people around too but no-one's interested in anyone over 50 unless they commit murder or do something else which is considered to be newsworthy.

I'm glad that I'm just staid & boring but despite that I WILL be heard!

By Craddock28 at 21:38 on 11/09/09
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Ahh! so it was you, Craddock28, who burned the carpet! You naughty boy. :-(

I was a manager there back then. Still, after all this time, I suppose your sins are forgiven. :-)

By devonsboy at 15:48 on 12/09/09
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Nearly right, devonsboy - I was a naughty girl, but I forgive you for not noticing the difference!!

By Craddock28 at 20:08 on 12/09/09
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Lib Dem Nick Clegg suggests more bobbies on the beat tinyurl.com/pzdjr9

By A_McCormack at 13:38 on 15/09/09
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