Glasgow had a huge knife crime problem. It wasn’t solved through more police stop and search actions (although there was some of that). Instead it was through engagement and providing things for the knife carriers to do, education, access to other options and opportunity. But mostly, engagement.
Unfortunately the right wingers and racists refuse to accept that knife crime can be reduced by such namby pamby measures despite it working in Glasgow and other cities. We can keep going down the criminal route, and we need to, but we need to engage with those carrying knives before they attack someone and provide other opportunities for them.
Also, with the barristers now on strike it seems our justice system is going to be even worse and less likely to deliver the outcomes people want.
To preempt the fritters, I’m not saying we go light on those that stab - I’d advocate for stricter punishments. But London needs to learn from other cities that have reduced knife crime. It’s not done through marginalising a maligned group. It’s through engagement with them and providing opportunities.
This is generally London we're talking about. One of the most vibrant and metropolitan cities in the world with absolutely masses to do. These are people who have access to some of the best education institutions in the country. Their lives are what they're making of them. Its their choices to commit these offences. I've never ever been without something to do in London, there is literally always something and it's often free.