Knives Cost Lives

Please support our Knives Cost Lives campaign, by signing our petition to Home Office minister Tony McNulty. Click here to fill in and submit the petition

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Our campaign to fightback against knife crime

Sussex must get tough on knife crime. Brutal stabbings are happening every week across the county and it has to end. The Argus wants Tony McNulty, Home Office Minister for security, counterterrorism, crime and policing, to take action.

Here is our three-point plan:

1. A minimum sentence of two years for carrying a knife without lawful reason.
The Government recently doubled the maximum sentence for carrying a blade from two to four years but in reality offenders are treated far more leniently. The latest Ministry of Justice figures, which cover 2006, show 17% of the 6,232 people convicted of carrying a blade that year were jailed.
Of those, 26 received more than a 12-month sentence. Many were given a conditional or absolute discharge, effectively a slap on the wrist, and the average prison sentence was less than four months.

2. An end to automatic release for anyone convicted of knife crime.
Serving the full custodial sentence sends out the important message that knife crime will not be tolerated and the effects are long lasting. Keeping prisoners locked up for longer also reassures communities living in fear.
Prison staff need time to rehabilitate offenders and early parole is one reason convicts return to crime after their release. By serving a substantial prison sentence, criminals will have longer to confront the consequences of their actions.

3. Greater education to teach the simple message: Respect cannot be won waving a blade.
Education is vital to ensure future generations grow up without any illusions about the devastation knives cause. Schools should focus on compulsory personal, social and health lessons to teach children the importance of treating others with respect.
Parents must take more responsibility for their children. The media must be sensitive when creating films, music and computer games which can influence young people's behaviour.