So the latest report in the UK suggests that many teenagers now carry knifes as forms of protection.
Rather than blaming the government for the lack of effort,
If you were prime minister - how do you think you would combat this problem?

Well I'm from London where all the stabbings are happening and i don't know someone who carries a knife....however, i've had a knife to my throat and been mugged at knifepoint before....

The one thing not to say is 'the kids don't have enough to do/need more to do'...that is completely unrelated to knife crime...people don't stab each other becaus there's nothing to do, and we have more to do today than the previous generation...

The only way to combat it is to be a lot tougher on knife crime: currently, if you are caught with a knife you get a warning and the knife is taken away. That is useless in fighting knife crime. I believe that firslty, you musn't portray my generation as a bunch of knife-carrying chavs and secondly if someone is found with a knife give them a proper sentence or at least a massive fine...

I say let them. Too many anti-gun laws going around. If you take away knives from everyone, you'll be taking them away only from the law abiding people who genuinely use them for protection. That will leave only the non-law abiding citizens, such as the troublemakers, with knives which will make the problem that much worse.

By the way, I never knew Britland had crime like that :P

I would tell their damn parents to take some responsibility and actually raise their kids instead of not giving a *I really shouldn't use bad language*. Really part of this is the parents fault for not doing what they are suppose to do, being responsible adults. The reason this teenage generation is the way it is, is because of the parents being selfish *I really shouldn't use bad language* not thinking about what is best for the kids, which is to learn some manners and to show respect.

If I was the prime minister I would have some balls and tell those morons that call themselves parents to go deal with their kids and not shove it on society.

Hmm, you wouldn't be very popular if you were in the government here, "law abiding people" don't use knives. :omg:

You can pass all the laws you want. If people feel unprotected their still going to do it.

...so no one protects themselves in Brittyland? Honestly? I really find that hard to believe :P You're telling me that absolutely no law abiding citizens in Britain have a desire to carry some sort of weapon for protection? Really? :blink: Seriously, I'm curious :P I don't live in Europe, so I'm just curious.

Brittyland? GTFO Womo123. It's the United Kingdom of Great Britain.

For your information your not allowed to leave your house with a knife. People generally don't need them here because there's little to no fear of getting gunned down while standing at a bus stop, there's also no fear of a bomb going off in a shopping center. Or a high school massacre either.

Im talking about Britain in general, Glasgow is different altogether, it's a bit like the United States, if you leave the house after 6:00PM your very likely to get shot/mugged/rapped/knived by Neds/Glasgow people. Just they way you like it.

Uhm no, it takes many years of legislation to pass a law, the Prime Minister has only one say in the laws that are passed, which means there are many others who have a say that may stop the law from passing legislation.

The statistic of people carrying knives and getting killed with their own knife is just as high as the statistic in which Ruth made a thread about, if you're willing to carry a knife then you must be willing to die by it.

Some people need to stop reading the Sun newspaper and actually get on to some real topics that can actually be worth debating about.

No, they're both two entirely different things, just because some of the lands are in both does not mean they relate.

TBH Americans carry guns around the place. So knives aren't that bad.


But I hate people who carry knives, it just a form of bullying as well as protection. Children at school get scared of it.

No, they aren't needed. Think of it like this; if no one had guns or knives, there would be no reason to protect yourself.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain is one place but has many places in it.

Do some research. Really that's just stupid if you think they are different. Trust me, I've lived there all my life.

Wow that sounds pretty scary.

Anyways I carry a knife on me. I work at a school in a bad neighborhood and Im here after dark all by myself a lot.

I agree, there is no need for physical protection. When I leave my house today I don't fear that someone is going to attack me.

Our gun crime is virtually non-existent and knife crime is low but increasing.

I live in London and a dangerous part to be honest but I don't feel the need to carry a knife.

What am I going to do with the knife except hurt someone else or get in trouble.

It leads to escalation: some people carry knives, so the victims carry them too. So the attackers will use bigger ones.

I have no desire to carry a weapon for protection

I only carry a blade when I am working, because I am needed to carry one cause I work in the deli. Other then that. I don't carry it when I walk home at night nor take it with me when I am on the bus. I ususally walk home during nights.. I rather beat them with my hand instead of letting them lay in a pool of their own blood.

I would probably try to get a law passed saying that minors carrying a knife around would get you a ticket or some kind of fine. Simply because with teenagers how they are these days they get into pointless fights to show off and someone gets hurt for no reason.

I understand why kids carry them around as protection,, i live in a quite rough area and i know why they carry knives around with them,, The government need to do something about the thigns causing the kids to carry knives..

I would carry a knife around but im sensible,, Stupid chavs.

I don't think you should really be allowed to carry a knife. Sure, you need to defend yourself, but if your sensible enough not to go outside at night for no reason at all, you'll be fine. :D

I have to carry 8 knives in and out of the town every day -- because I am a chef.

My dad has a permit to carry a pistol concealed, I think he can carry a knife :P

I carry a knife everywhere i go. Rough neighbourhood.