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Jail knife carriers, says Cameron Jail knife carriers, says Cameron
(about 4 hours later)
Anyone caught carrying a knife without a good excuse should expect to be sent to prison, David Cameron says.Anyone caught carrying a knife without a good excuse should expect to be sent to prison, David Cameron says.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has argued that anyone over 16 caught with an illegal knife should be prosecuted, rather than escaping with a caution.Prime Minister Gordon Brown has argued that anyone over 16 caught with an illegal knife should be prosecuted, rather than escaping with a caution.
But Mr Cameron says the presumption should go further - so anyone convicted of carrying a knife should be jailed.But Mr Cameron says the presumption should go further - so anyone convicted of carrying a knife should be jailed.
Jack Straw says ministers will review sentencing guidelines on knife crime when they come into force on 4 August.Jack Straw says ministers will review sentencing guidelines on knife crime when they come into force on 4 August.
Currently, around a third of those found with offensive weapons receive only a caution or final warning.Currently, around a third of those found with offensive weapons receive only a caution or final warning.
'No excuse''No excuse'
The Conservative leader's comments come after a number of high-profile knife murders have seen 18 young people die in London alone this year. The Conservative leader spoke out at the launch of his party's campaign in the Glasgow East by-election, which he dubbed "the broken society by-election".
It comes after a number of high-profile knife murders have seen 18 young people die in London alone this year.
According to Home Office figures, 17% of people prosecuted for carrying a knife went to prison in 2006, compared with 6% in 1996. The average sentence length has increased by almost a third over the same period.According to Home Office figures, 17% of people prosecuted for carrying a knife went to prison in 2006, compared with 6% in 1996. The average sentence length has increased by almost a third over the same period.
Mr Cameron says knife crime is now a problem of "epidemic proportions" in the UK.Mr Cameron says knife crime is now a problem of "epidemic proportions" in the UK.
We're talking about mainly young people carrying knives as part of a culture. That culture has to stop David CameronConservative leaderWe're talking about mainly young people carrying knives as part of a culture. That culture has to stop David CameronConservative leader
"We have got to send a clear message that carrying a knife on our streets is completely inexcusable and unacceptable in a civilised society" he said in a speech in Scotland. "We have to send a clear message that carrying a knife on our streets is completely inexcusable and unacceptable in a civilised society" he said.
"So we're proposing that anyone convicted of knife crime should expect to go to jail. I don't believe the government's presumption to prosecute is enough. It doesn't send a strong enough signal. We need a presumption to prison.""So we're proposing that anyone convicted of knife crime should expect to go to jail. I don't believe the government's presumption to prosecute is enough. It doesn't send a strong enough signal. We need a presumption to prison."
In an interview with The Sun, Mr Cameron insisted: "There is no excuse for carrying a knife when you walk out of your door."
He urged police to exercise "common sense" by not prosecuting people carrying penknives for angling, or for bringing home kitchen or garden equipment from the shops.He urged police to exercise "common sense" by not prosecuting people carrying penknives for angling, or for bringing home kitchen or garden equipment from the shops.
"This is about kitchen knives stuffed down the front of tracksuits," he said. "This is about kitchen knives stuffed down the front of tracksuits," he told The Sun.
"We're talking about mainly young people carrying knives as part of a culture. That culture has to stop.""We're talking about mainly young people carrying knives as part of a culture. That culture has to stop."
Debate In his speech, Mr Cameron claimed society had become "far too sensitive" about what is good and bad, or right or wrong behaviour.
Mr Cameron has previously prompted headlines suggesting he wanted to "hug a hoodie" when he argued there should be greater understanding for young people. He argued that in the Glasgow East poll, Tories would make it their "mission" to repair the broken society - "to heal the wounds of poverty, crime, social disorder and deprivation that are steadily making this country a grim and joyless place to live for far too many people".
But he added: "When they step over the line, I'm a Tory. I believe in tough responses, in the law coming down on people like a ton of bricks."
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Mr Cameron tackled the issue of knife crime during a speech in Glasgow on "fixing our broken society". Mr Cameron was accompanied by ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, chairman of the Centre for Social Justice, and the Tories' by-election candidate, Davena Rankin.
He said people "can expect a Conservative government to take tough action" to deal with crime and disorder. Meanwhile, Mr Straw, the justice secretary, is due to discuss the review of legislation available to judges and magistrates shortly, with ministerial colleagues including the attorney general and the home secretary.
He is being accompanied by ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, chairman of the Centre for Social Justice, and the Tories' Glasgow East by-election candidate, Davena Rankin.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Mr Straw said he was talking to ministers and "awaiting representations" from them about new sentencing guidelines on knife crime which come into effect next month.
The guidelines for magistrates in England and Wales say people caught in possession of a bladed article or offensive weapon may be given a fine or community order if the weapon "isn't used to threaten or cause fear".The guidelines for magistrates in England and Wales say people caught in possession of a bladed article or offensive weapon may be given a fine or community order if the weapon "isn't used to threaten or cause fear".
He said there was an "overwhelming case" for all hospitals to collect anonymous data on injuries caused by knives and other weapons.He said there was an "overwhelming case" for all hospitals to collect anonymous data on injuries caused by knives and other weapons.
It follows an investigation by the Independent on Sunday which suggested that almost 14,000 people a year have become victims of knife attacks in Britain and there has been a massive rise in hospital admissions.It follows an investigation by the Independent on Sunday which suggested that almost 14,000 people a year have become victims of knife attacks in Britain and there has been a massive rise in hospital admissions.
Straw's son 'mugged'Straw's son 'mugged'
At the moment gunshot wounds have to be reported to police, stab wounds do not have to be reported.At the moment gunshot wounds have to be reported to police, stab wounds do not have to be reported.
But in an attempt to play down fears of a knife crime "epidemic", Mr Straw pointed to a survey of accident and emergency departments by Cardiff University which suggested that the number of people needing treatment for injuries caused by serious violence is falling.But in an attempt to play down fears of a knife crime "epidemic", Mr Straw pointed to a survey of accident and emergency departments by Cardiff University which suggested that the number of people needing treatment for injuries caused by serious violence is falling.
The survey, published in April, does not, however, break down injuries by weapon used.The survey, published in April, does not, however, break down injuries by weapon used.
Mr Straw suggested that knife crime had always been a problem in certain urban areas, recollecting that one of his sons was mugged at knife-point on his way back from school in London in 1991.Mr Straw suggested that knife crime had always been a problem in certain urban areas, recollecting that one of his sons was mugged at knife-point on his way back from school in London in 1991.
He said that his son handed over his pocket-money to the robbers - before reporting what had happened to the police. Chris Huhne, the Lib Dems home affairs spokesman, accused the Conservatives of "posturing" on knife crime penalties.
"The issue is not the toughness of penalties, the issue is whether or not we catch the people who are carrying knives and using them," he said.