Knife thugs let off with caution

Dec 30 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

KNIFE-CARRYING thugs have been let off with cautions and warnings, a Journal investigation has revealed.

Northumbria Police Chief Constable Mike Craik this year called for tougher action against yobs who arm themselves with blades.

But nearly 40% of all knife criminals caught in the North East last year were not even taken before the courts.

Nearly a third of all offenders in the Northumbria force area escaped with only a caution or a warning, while that figure rose to nearly half in County Durham.

Senior officers at Northumbria Police told The Journal that the figures – which covered the 12 months up to the end of August – did not reflect recent changes in practice and insisted they took firm action against people caught with knives.

But last night MPs and victim support groups called for a tougher stance.

John Johnson, whose 22-year-old son Kevin was stabbed to death for challenging three teenage troublemakers outside his Sunderland home, claimed the statistics showed a serious failing in the plan to crack down on knife crime.

Jordan Towers, Dean Curtis and Tony Hawkes were found guilty of murdering the father-of-one in May 2007, leading to the formation of the Enough is Enough knife campaign.

Last night Sunderland taxi driver Mr Johnson said: “People are laughing in the face of the police and the courts and they are laughing at the system.

“Mike Craik publicly agreed that life should mean life, but these people know they can do what they are doing and get away with a slap on the wrist. That’s what people need to realise – if there is a real deterrent in place then it might stop people carrying a knife.”

Sharon Hodgson, MP for Gateshead East and Washington West, said: “As the Prime Minister has said, we need to show young people that carrying a knife is not big or clever – it is unacceptable.

“We can do this not only by supporting stronger sentencing but also by making sure that the message gets out that if you commit knife crime, you will be caught.”

Neil Atkinson, of the North East-based National Victims’ Association, defended the Northumbria Police approach to knife crime, but criticised the courts.

He said: “Our association is aware of the importance placed upon the issue of knife crime and its devastating effect.

“We consider ourselves fortunate enough to be based in an area with such a proactive police approach as that of Northumbria.

“However, we are constantly amazed at the way in which excellent police work is undone by a judicial system which seldom appears to take the issue of sentencing seriously.”

Assistant Chief Constable Jim Campbell said: “These figures do not reflect recent changes in practice. The chief constable has now standardised the force’s approach so that criminal possession of knives will be dealt with robustly.

“Officers have been advised to use charging as the preferred option for bringing to justice anyone found illegally with a knife or pointed weapon, and only use cautioning in exceptional circumstances as a means of disposal.

“Officers were also advised to use the more serious offence of possessing an offensive weapon, rather than having a bladed or pointed weapon.

“In response to this there has been a steady increase in the number of people being charged; it now stands at 91%.

“There are occasions where a person who has been arrested will be able to prove they were carrying the item for a legitimate purpose.”

Page 2: Tories call for automatic jail sentences