We see that it is mostly adults (those over 18) who are involved in knife and gun crime. 4,459 teenagers (out of a total of 21,381 persons) were cautioned, reprimanded or convicted for carrying a knife in England and Wales in the year to September, 2018 *. There were 119 homicides in London in 2018, 68 of which were as a result of stabbings, 12 as a result of shootings and 2 involving both stabbing and shooting.
(* Figures from the Office of National Statistics)

Read on to see …

How the Peace Party – with influence on government – would be responding to increased violence involving the use of knives and other weapons by tackling the likely underlying causes of the violence.

Housing

All people need a proper home – space to live and enjoy life with good facilities.

If it has the will, the government CAN afford to ensure there are adequate and affordable homes to rent or buy wherever they are needed.

Work

All people need a proper job that will produce an income to provide every necessity – poverty is degrading and unnecessary.

If it has the will, the government CAN ensure full employment through a “Job Guarantee” plan. Children also need the guarantee of at least one parent at home. For those between jobs and the unemployable there CAN be a sensible and understandable benefits and pensions system.

Education

All need access to the possibilities of learning throughout life.

If it has the will, the government CAN provide a properly-funded education system “from cradle to the grave” with the best facilities available and the right ratio of teachers and support staff to pupils, students and apprentices in all situations.

The learning of Values such as Kindness, Respect, Tolerance, Responsibility, Caring and Compassion must be central to all learning as must the principle of the Golden Rule – of treating others as we wish to be treated ourselves.

Youth Services and Leisure Facilities

All have the right of access of places where they can spend their leisure time, where they can meet and enjoy the company of others.

If it has the will, the government CAN provide properly-funded youth services and the support needed for the widest variety of community leisure facilities.

Health Services

All have a right to facilities to match needs for physical and mental health.

If it has the will, the government CAN provide all necessary facilities to support everyone in the community at the time when they have physical and mental health needs.

Law and Order

Everyone has the right to safety and security in home and community.

If it has the will, the government CAN afford to re-invigorate the police and legal services including proper community policing (“stop and search” should be unnecessary where the “bobbies on the beat” know their local patches well).

Laws must be enacted to prevent the sale of knives and guns to those not needing them for their employment (for example, butchers, farmers and gun club members). Arrangements must be made to collect weapons that might be used by criminals. On-line sellers of knives and guns such as eBay or Amazon must be encouraged (through the legal system, if necessary) not to sell knives or guns at all.