LIB DEMS SUPPORT TOUGH ACTION AS NORTH EAST KNIFE CRIME IS REVEALED
July 28, 2008 12:00 AM
Liberal Democrats in the North East are calling for tough action against those people who use knives in violent attacks.
Figures revealed by the Home Office show that 20% of violent crime in the North East involves knives, a picture only slightly better than for the North West (21%) and worse than for London.
The statistics also show that four local authorities in the North East witnessed above average levels of most serious violence against the person - with Easington more than twice the average national rate.
Expressing concern at these figures, Fiona Hall MEP for the North East is supporting Northumbria police's knife amnesty which started across Northumberland, Tyneside and Wearside last week, and hopes that it will be effective in reducing the number of knives on the streets.
Fiona also agrees that tougher measures are needed to beat knife related crime, including a crackdown on alcohol related violence, a stop and search programme and harsher sentences for those people caught selling knives to children and young people.
She said: "I hope the Northumbria police knife amnesty is successful, causing those who do carry knives to take a step back, think of the consequences of their actions and then give up their weapons."
Ron Beadle, parliamentary spokesperson for Newcastle North, noting the higher than average rates of violent crime in Newcastle, agrees with Fiona.
"Cutting the supply of knives is one of the most effective ways to reduce knife crime," said Ron.
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