Groundbreaking? No!
A Knife Crime Prevention Order is going to be put into place. This will apparently also place restrictions on social media and reduce gang violence. Not exactly groundbreaking but a start. Not sure why hundreds of people needed to die before some action was taken.
However, aren't similar things in place already?! Gang injunctions, Criminal Behaviour Orders, cleverly thought out YRO's, licence and bail conditions? Professionals have access to all of these things currently that can do exactly the same thing so why aren't they being used.
Injunctions and CBO's take time to gather evidence but often enough this isn't even being considered and two years down the line after bad press and a murder is just too late in some examples.
External agencies utilising local YOTs to use conditions on their Orders should be happening more but rarely does. More joint working should take place.
And although services are stretched and youth services cut it frustrates me when young people use the 'we need more money in youth services' line. I know many professionals on the front line tirelessly putting things in place for gang nominal and those at risk (as well as other young people) for them not to engage, not turn up, laugh in your face and tell you how they earn more than you.
This problem is an epidemic and not something that is going anywhere soon. These young people are so entrenched and carry knives like they carry their door key. It's just not as simple as giving them more things to do. They need appropriate support, therapy, motivation and guidance over extended periods of time by experienced workers. They know they shouldn't carry knives. They know it's illegal. Telling them not to carry a knife and do something positive is a start but it's far from the answer.
The proposed Knife Crime Prevention Order, in reality, is not going to stop this. It could be positive and it certainly could disrupt but why are services not trying to do that now with the current powers already in place and available.
Time should be spent on investing in better prisons with better education, new sentencing powers for carrying knives, courts being able to impose those sentences without fear, other Orders are needed more around child exploitation for longer sentences around the use of children to traffic drugs. Extensive support should be in place for these young people (or adults) who feel like their only option to stay alive every day is to arm themselves and be prepared for battle. Like soldiers at war - living day to day and ready to do what they need to survive or die trying.
This is not a resolution. These powers already exist. You can put these restrictions in place already so why aren't we?
Children’s Residential Care Specialist
6 年I also fee that some YOS case managers require some empowerment and encouragement to become more creative when proposing orders and enforcing them. I have been in the position at times when the magistrates aren’t even aware of some of the unique conditions that are included in PSR’s. A lot of work needs to be done to bring this to light.
Children’s Residential Care Specialist
6 年Well put across!
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6 年A good read and many fair points. I grew up in the days of community centres and youth clubs, people may have had penknives in their pockets but never used them to stab people because they lived in a different area to them. Getting the younger generation involved with creating a positive, isn't easy in this age of technology and gand culture but having something they're proud of, can make the world of difference to theirs, their family's lives and futures. If you take the story of many serial killers, for example, many have had traumatic upbringings and see the wrong doings as 'love'.
Experienced Service Delivery and Support manager
6 年Great article?