Politicians should have the guts to clear up the knife problem. They should try this for a start:

  • Allow police complete freedom to stop and search if they suspect someone is carrying a knife.
  • If someone is caught, they should be arrested and locked up for 48 hours and any benefits and allowances should be stopped for four weeks.
  • For a second offence, stop allowances for three months and birch the offender. It is my belief no one goes a second time for the birch. It is the only language they understand.
  • CG Barrett, St Andrew's Drive, Bishopstone

Yet another teenager has been stabbed to death in London, making a total of 17 so far this year (The Argus, June 30).

Young people killing young people with such bestial, merciless ruthlessness indicates quite clearly that something has gone dramatically wrong in our society.

Yet for the recent debate on knife crime in Parliament, a mere 19 MPs showed up. In my view this is a disgrace. And these are the people who reportedly want their wages topped up to about £100,000 a year.

  • Michael Winter, Hillcrest, Brighton