10 May Britain’s Blood Bath
STABBINGS are on the rise as new figures show a drastic increase in violent crime across the country.
Steve Nararez aged 20, Elizabeth Lacatusv aged 44, Daniel Federick aged 34, Dani Odeyirgbo aged 18, Harry Uzoka aged 25 and Yaya Mbye aged 26. These are just a handful of fatal stabbings that have happened in London since the start of the year.
At Least 36 people have been fatally stabbed and 62 overall killed so far in 2018. The capital has been rocked with a surge of violence. Stabbings in London are at the highest level in 6 years, with a 23% increase from last year.
Why is it that more people are carrying blades? Police estimated that 75% of those caught carrying knives have zero connection to gangs. Dontae, aged 15 South east London, said “he has never been in a gang but often carries a knife around with him. People are scared and that’s why people take the risks of carrying them. Everyday you wont be rolling with your friends, so you won’t have somebody to back you. If there’s a sign of danger that’s when people pull it out and do something.”
The mayor of London condemned the violence and said “ his heart goes out to the families of those killed and injured.” He has called on the government to plough more funding into police resources. “Keeping Londoners safe is my top priority. I remain in constant contact with the metropolitan police and I am reassured that they are doing everything they can to bring those responsible to justice and to keep us all safe.”
City Hall is investing an extra £110 million into the Met and also setting up a new £45 million young londoners fund to help tackle the causes of violent crimes and support young people to turn away from criminality. “ I refuse to accept nothing can be done to stem the appalling rise of violent crimes we are seeing across the country. Together with police, community groups, victims and their families and city hall we will continue to work ceaselessly to tackle violent crime.”
The youth at Salmon youth centre talk on ways to address the problem. Yazmin aged 16 suggests “ you need to look into cultural backgrounds of the youth committing the crimes and what their support system is with their friends, family and the community.” Denzel aged 24 believes “ you need to provide people with a safe place. Traditionally youth clubs are always safe and secure for young people to develop and grow.” Speaking to the youth at the centre, police reform was high on the agenda. One young person stated that “ young people don’t want to talk to the police, most of us have had negative dealings with them, they need to mend that bridge first, before we can even trust them. The government wants to pump more money into the police which isn’t going to help as the youth of London feel the police are against us.
The YMCA said council spending on youth services has fallen by more than £750 million since 2011 across the country. Chief executive Denise Halton said “ the vital services are necessary to provide teenagers with positive activities and to help them develop and socialise. Without drastic action to protect funding and making youth services a statutory service, we are condemning young people to become a lonely, lost generation with nowhere to turn.
