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We must instil a fear of the law in knife carriers
• KNIFE crime is so prevalent today in Islington because young people fear other young people with knives more than they fear the law.
Our police have failed to protect young people in this borough so they are taking care of themselves.
The answer to this is clear:
* Enforce the current laws against carrying knives.
* Do this by using widespread stop and search.
* First-time offenders should receive an official caution.
* Regular offenders should receive custodial sentences.
Once young people fear the consequences of carrying a knife more than other knife-wielding youngsters then the incidents of knife crime will fall.
Please enact this before any more of our children become casualties.
TIM NEWARK
N5
• KNIFE crime is a far more serious issue than disclosed in police statistics.
A number of offences of assault causing injury by the use of knives are not reported to police.
It is time police were encouraged to increase stop-and-searches to detect the carrying of offensive weapons. This would deter a number of people from carrying such weapons.
Police should carry out this duty politely and not be hindered by form-filling after each search.
KEN ROGERS
Editorial board member, Professional Security, and Protecting Citizens Worldwide
• OUR community in Islington has suffered from the tragedies of violence and knife crime. Martin Dinnegan and Nassirudeen Osawe, two lovely young men, have lost their lives in senseless acts of violence. Their devastated families now join others who are victims across London.
We have to ensure young people do not carry knives, see no glory in their use and do not see violence as a way of life. We also have to examine why some young people feel so disaffected they turn to violence. As we move into 2008 my wish is for increasing peace and harmony, a process of engagement and an extension of opportunities for all our excellent young people.
I also hope the achievements in improving the quality of council and housing association stock through the Decent Homes Standard are matched by much more building for rent for families in desperate housing need.
Too many families live in flats that are far too small. As a result, families break up, children fail to flourish and underachieve in school. Unless we build more and do something to protect private tenants from insecurity and high rents the social divide will become greater. A society with a huge gap between rich and poor cannot be a happy one.
Beyond Islington the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan take the lives of thousands of innocent people and create a climate of instability and fear. This should be the year to bring our troops home and pursue peace through political means.
The worldwide gap between rich and poor must be closed and our environment protected. Resources are limited and our eco-systems are fragile, 2008 should be a year of change, to improve life chances and social justice in our community, and beyond. I wish everyone a happy and peaceful new year.
JEREMY CORBYN
Labour MP, Islington North
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