Hundreds demand action against knife crime (From The Argus)

Hundreds demand action against knife crime

2:32pm Tuesday 22nd July 2008 in

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More than 500 people have pledged their support to The Argus Knives Cost Lives campaign.

Readers signed the petition addressed to Tony McNulty, Home Office Minister for security, counter-terrorism, crime and policing, asking him to get tough on knife crime.

The Argus campaign asks the Government to set a minimum sentence of two years for carrying a knife without lawful reason.

It also calls for an end to automatic release from prison for anyone convicted of knife crime and better education for youngsters around the message: Respect cannot be won waving a blade.

The families of victims have urged people to sign the petition and pledge their support to help make Sussex’s streets safer.

Helen Long, 36, whose 15-yearold son Michael Morgan was stabbed to death by teenager Kieran Wright at a party while he slept, said anyone carrying a knife should be jailed.

Mrs Long, of Nicolson Drive, Shoreham, said: “I’m begging everyone to support this campaign to save lives. It isn’t going to happen overnight but together we can make a change.”

Kim Kensett, whose 16-year-old son Jay was stabbed to death nine years ago by Darren Mateer, then 31, has signed the petition.

Mrs Kensett, of Brede Close, Brighton, said: “How many more children have got to die before the Government takes action?”

Carol Stunell, whose 22-yearold son David was stabbed in the throat by teenage killer Aaron Aymer, has also pledged her support to the campaign.

On Friday, The Argus revealed 1,050 knife crimes were committed in Sussex in the past year, an average of one every eight and a half hours.

Earlier this year the Government increased the maximum sentence for possessing a blade to four years but in reality few people are actually sent to prison.

Fewer than a fifth of criminals convicted of carrying a knife in Sussex are sent to prison.

Latest Ministry of Justice figures, which cover 2006, show 138 people were found guilty of having a blade but just 27 were locked up.

Sign our petition demanding the Government cracks down on knife crime.