FOUR knife murders in 24 hours in London `graphically illustrates' the need for everyone to pull together and end the violence, the capital's top cop has said.
Sir Ian Blair, the head of Scotland Yard, said his officers were doing `everything possible' to catch those responsible and defend others from the same fate.
Sir Ian spoke out after it emerged a fifth man was fighting for his life in hospital after being stabbed in an attack in the city.
The man, in his late 20s, had stab wounds to the back and stomach. The four murders took place with 17 hours of each other. Sir Ian said: "There has been a tragic death toll from knife crime in London over a 24 hour period.
"Four men have been killed - one a teenager - and a fifth remains critically ill.
"Detectives have made arrests in three of the four murders.
"I want to reassure the public that the Met is doing everything possible to get knives off the streets.
"This dreadful loss of life graphically illustrates the need for everyone to pull together to put an end to this unacceptable violence."
Last week Deputy Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson revealed a 75-strong task force had been set up at tackle knife crime. Thousands of people have been stopped and searched as part of a drive to deter young people from carrying knives.
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Top cop slams knife crime
July 12, 2008
Sir Ian Blair
Showing comments 1 to 9 and replies | View All
Voter (12/07/2008 at 08:50)
alvinlwh (12/07/2008 at 11:55)
Frostee, Oldham (12/07/2008 at 17:06)
Regards the carrying of knives. Apart from the obvious (angling etc) there is only one reason why youths carry knives either for protection (they think) or for aggression. If the mere possesion of a knife without good excuse was made a mandatory (no cop outs from the judges) jail penalty and it was stringently enforced, the carrying of knives would almost disappear within a short time. As it is the establishment will go one talking and making excuses and more young men will die of stabbing.
jonah, usa (13/07/2008 at 17:27)
Mike (13/07/2008 at 19:33)
Has anybody asked the knife victim if they would like a feral youth standing over them while being treated? No I bet they haven’t thought of that?
Instead of coming up with stupid actions like this, why don’t they just jail them? Caught with a knife on your person for no other reason than attempt to maim 5 years no parole. Using a knife on a victim whether you kill or not 10 years no parole. These are the preventative measures that the general public want to see not the half baked ideas of the completely out of touch politicians.
Anthony, Accrington,Lancashire (14/07/2008 at 07:59)
David,North M/C (14/07/2008 at 11:44)
Black Flag (14/07/2008 at 14:07)
I don't think that would be the case. It certainly didn't work that way with guns.
What you propose would make it less likely that somebody would carry a knife for defensive purposes, but it would do little to discourage somebody who carries one with the intent to mug, maim, rape or murder.
The end result would be an increase in the relative power of violent criminals.
It would make more sense to make non-lethal defensive weaponry more easily available to reduce the justification for carrying a knife.
BARONDUDLEY, WALES (14/07/2008 at 22:06)
The knife attacks highlighted now in the press are there for one reason only, the Police want to change the 'stop and search ' rules.
Once that has been done knife violence will disappear from the public's attention and another cause will surface.
Knife laws have been in effect for many years. If you are carrying a knife with a blade over three inches long and that is not a manual opening and closing folder you are breaking the law.
How much clearer can that be. No need for debates on tougher penalties and law changes the law that exists is quite adequate all that it needs is the Police and courts to enforce the law.