In a letter in the Evening Standard leading Lib Dems have called for early intervention to tackle knife crime, drawing on the example of Scotland. The letter is signed by Caroline Pidgeon (Lib Dem GLA Member) and four Lib Dem Mayoral candidates: Pauline Pearce (Hackney), Chris Maines (Lewisham), Gareth Evans (Newham) and Elaine Bagshaw (Tower Hamlets).
"Dear Editor
Too many people in London are dying from knife crime and other violent crimes.
There has been a sharp increase in people killed by knives between 2016 and 2017 in London. But this is not just a ‘seasonal blip’. The figures have been increasing for four years and are now worse than New York.
And now the figures for 2018 are truly horrific. We are only just into the fourth month of the year and London has already seen its 47th murder.
We need to immediately learn from Scotland which has been successful in curbing knife crime affecting young people. Real investment tackling this as a public health crisis.
Early intervention in all London schools is vital to deter the carrying and use of knives.
Every Accident and Emergency Department must have a youth worker to support victims of knife attacks to help them at this teachable moment. We also need to ensure young victims of knife crime don’t go out and create further victims.
We need a strategy that embraces more than the police working in isolation, there are other agencies and policies needed to reduce knife crime. This must be the top priority for the Mayor and the Police.
There has been a sharp increase in people killed by knives between 2016 and 2017 in London. But this is not just a ‘seasonal blip’. The figures have been increasing for four years and are now worse than New York.
And now the figures for 2018 are truly horrific. We are only just into the fourth month of the year and London has already seen its 47th murder.
We need to immediately learn from Scotland which has been successful in curbing knife crime affecting young people. Real investment tackling this as a public health crisis.
Early intervention in all London schools is vital to deter the carrying and use of knives.
Every Accident and Emergency Department must have a youth worker to support victims of knife attacks to help them at this teachable moment. We also need to ensure young victims of knife crime don’t go out and create further victims.
We need a strategy that embraces more than the police working in isolation, there are other agencies and policies needed to reduce knife crime. This must be the top priority for the Mayor and the Police.
Yours
Caroline Pidgeon (Lib Dem GLA member)
Pauline Pearce (Lib Dem Mayoral Candidate, Hackney)
Chris Maines (Lib Dem Mayoral Candidate, Lewisham)
Gareth Evans (Lib Dem Mayoral Candidate, Newham)
Elaine Bagshaw (Lib Dem Mayoral Candidate, Tower Hamlets)
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