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Shock tactics for knife carriers Shock tactics for knife carriers
(about 2 hours later)
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is to unveil plans to shock young people who carry knives into a greater awareness of the impact of stabbing on victims. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has unveiled plans to shock young people who carry knives into awareness of the impact of stabbing on victims.
Her proposals include visits to hospitals where people are being treated for knife wounds. The measures, which follow a spate of attacks, include visits to hospitals where people are treated for wounds.
The measures form part of the government's response to a spate of knife attacks. Ms Smith said seeing "gruesome" injuries would be "tougher" than simply sending all knife carriers to prison.
A man in his 30s was stabbed to death at a pub in Bolton in the early hours of Sunday morning.A man in his 30s was stabbed to death at a pub in Bolton in the early hours of Sunday morning.
On Thursday, four men were stabbed to death in London and a fifth died after a knife attack in West Bromwich.On Thursday, four men were stabbed to death in London and a fifth died after a knife attack in West Bromwich.
On Friday a 16-year-old youth was found guilty of murdering schoolboy Martin Dinnegan, 14, who was stabbed near his home in Holloway, north London in June last year. I want to reassure everyone that the government is taking the issue of knife crime very seriously Home Secretary Jacqui Smith Man stabbed to death on night out On Friday a 16-year-old youth was found guilty of murdering schoolboy Martin Dinnegan, 14, who was stabbed near his home in Holloway, north London in June last year. I'm very keen that we make people face up to the consequences. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith Man stabbed to death on night out
Mrs Smith's proposals will see young people caught carrying knives being made to go to accident and emergency wards, to see for themselves the consequences of stabbings.Mrs Smith's proposals will see young people caught carrying knives being made to go to accident and emergency wards, to see for themselves the consequences of stabbings.
They will meet families of victims, and make prison visits to people convicted of knife offences.They will meet families of victims, and make prison visits to people convicted of knife offences.
The measures will focus on a number of areas including London, West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Essex and the Thames Valley.The measures will focus on a number of areas including London, West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Essex and the Thames Valley.
Mrs Smith said: "I am absolutely shocked at the tragic and senseless loss of life we have seen recently. Mrs Smith told Adam Boulton on Sky News there should not be a "simplistic approach" to knife crime, adding: "I think if you use your knife or if you are in any way threatening with it, certainly you ought to be sent to prison."
"I want to reassure everyone that the government is taking the issue of knife crime very seriously. She added: "But for others, actually what I think would be tougher is actually being made to face up to the sorts of implications of young people carrying knives on our streets; what it means in terms of gruesome injuries; what it could well mean to your future if you end up in prison; what it means to the families of those who actually lose people through knife crime.
"I am particularly concerned about the young age of offenders and victims - that is why I am again emphasising what action we have taken and what new action we are demanding." "And I'm very keen that we make people face up to the consequences. In my book, that's tougher than simply saying there's one simple solution and that's everybody goes to prison."
Mrs Smith also revealed she has written to all 43 chief constables in England and Wales, reminding them of their powers to require pubs and clubs that are associated with knife or gun problems to search customers on entry. Mrs Smith has written to all 43 chief constables in England and Wales, reminding them of their powers to require pubs and clubs that are associated with knife or gun problems to search customers on entry.
Early warningsEarly warnings
Ministers are also looking at how hospitals might work to help the police identify offenders without breaking patient confidentiality.Ministers are also looking at how hospitals might work to help the police identify offenders without breaking patient confidentiality.
The announcement comes ahead of the publication on Tuesday of the government's £100m crime action plan to be launched by Mrs Smith, Justice Secretary Jack Straw and Children's Secretary Ed Balls.The announcement comes ahead of the publication on Tuesday of the government's £100m crime action plan to be launched by Mrs Smith, Justice Secretary Jack Straw and Children's Secretary Ed Balls.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the recent un-related knife deaths were "shocking and tragic," and promised the publication of a cross-government youth-crime plan.Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the recent un-related knife deaths were "shocking and tragic," and promised the publication of a cross-government youth-crime plan.
Shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve said children should be targeted in the first year of primary school to prevent them from turning to knife crime later.Shadow home secretary Dominic Grieve said children should be targeted in the first year of primary school to prevent them from turning to knife crime later.
He said there are primary head teachers "who can point out... children who are going to be a serious problem".He said there are primary head teachers "who can point out... children who are going to be a serious problem".
The approach was one of three key ways he said the Conservatives would employ to tackle knife violence.The approach was one of three key ways he said the Conservatives would employ to tackle knife violence.