Dealing with knife crime

Knife crime is a serious problem—those who claim that the current concern over it is all a result of media fear-mongering are being far too flippant. But I do wish the government would concentrate on using the tools already available to it rather than coming up with yet more eye catching initiatives. As Stephen wrote the other week only a handful of those convicted of knife offences are punished to the full extent of the law. Today, Charlotte Leslie, a Tory candidate down in Bristol, notes in her Guardian blog another way in which the scourge of knife crime could be tackled without any additional legislation:

“When we got back to the station, he showed me a perfectly normal looking pair of leather gloves. “See these?” he said. They had a thin lining on the inside. “These make a real difference. With these gloves, and this kevlar lining, I can grab the blade of a knife off someone and not be cut.”