Knife crime in uk Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Knife crime in uk - Essay Example The knife crimes happening through out UK has increased to alarming levels and a research done by British Crime Survey clearly illustrated that the number of knife crimes happening in the UK has reached the level of 130000 offences annually. Similarly to curb out these crimes different techniques are being applied by the government of Britain. This article would further revolve around the topic of knife crimes in the UK and would evolve with a detailed conclusion as to how much alarming the situation is and what is being done by the government accordingly. Different laws have been passed out by the UK legislation through out the 19th century to limit the use of knives. These laws have a basic aim of reducing the knife crimes happening through UK. They prohibit the sale, carrying, use and also production of these tools. The Prevention of Crime Act in 1953 clearly illustrates that any object which may cause harm to any individual if used is an offensive weapon. Similarly keeping this Act in mind new acts have been placed by the government which declares knife as an offensive weapon and its use on any individual should be widely prohibited. The current act of Violent Crime Reduction 2006 clearly states that knives should not be carried in public places or schools without any genuine excuse. However folding knives which have a blade of less than three inches are still allowed to be carried in the UK. Knives which are banned in UK include gravity, flick and samurai swords. The new act of 2006 has increased the sentence from two years, for carrying a knife in a public place, to a maximum of 4 years. The laws for the carrying and using of knives are eligible on the teenagers also. As recently a teenager was sentenced to life imprisonment was stabbing another teenager with a knife. Furthermore the buying of knives is prohibited to teenagers who are younger than 18 through this new act. The teachers and police have been granted the power to check any individual for the possession of knives. Cases of Knife Crimes There are many horrible and terrifying cases which are enough to threaten the whole society. In UK, knife crimes are increasing day by day. It is easier to carry a knife as people think it is not as harmful as a gun. However, the mentioned cases would provide clear evidence that holding a knife is equally harmful and dangerous as holding a gun or other weapon. These weapons should not be used to harm people but for the defense f the country. Those who were expected to hold books and pens and concentrate on their studies for the bright future of their country are instead holding weapons and destroying the image of UK. A 16 year old teenager murdered Martin Dinnegan in June 2007. Such a violent behavior from the youth is tragic and shows that the country is moving towards horrible future. The incident happened as a result of 'dirty looks' passed on by two groups on each other in Holloway. On such a minor issue Martin Dinnegan lost his life in the age of 14. As Dinnegan realized the i ntentions of Chin, he started to run away from them and screamed for help. Regardless of his continuous cry Chin stabbed him to death. The case of Martin Dinnegan was observed by the judge Brian Barker. According to him, the attack was planned and intentional as a revenge of rivalry. The attack showed an inhuman behavior and the selfish and severe attitude of a person