Nacro backs tough approach to knife crime

27-10-2011

Nacro, the crime reduction charity, today declared its support for the government’s tough stance on knife crimes, but issued a warning about the realities of prison and reoffending.

Speaking at one of Nacro’s youth projects in London, Paul McDowell, chief executive of Nacro said:

‘If you threaten someone with a knife, you should expect to go to prison. Young people know that, judges know that, and the public know that.

‘The government is right to send a clear message to young people who threaten others with knives. But that shouldn’t be the end of the discussion. What matters much more than mandatory sentencing is what happens after someone has been sentenced.

‘Simply sending someone to prison doesn’t end the cycle of reoffending. All the evidence points to the fact that short prison sentences don't work. And there is no use pretending that mandatory sentences will fix the problem of knife crime. The government needs to keep investing in intensive and targeted interventions, which confront young people who commit violent crimes and get them to take responsibility for addressing their problems.

‘It’s also important not to demonise young people. Campaigns like the Philip Lawrence Awards highlight the great contribution which young people can make to their communities. The Croydon-based project Lives Not Knives is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when young people stand up against the violence they see on their streets and amongst their own peers. The Government needs to support projects like this, amplify their voice and help them get their message across on the ground.’

Philip Lawrence Awards: celebrating young people doing great things

Nacro is responsible for administering the Philip Lawrence Awards - celebrating groups of young people making a difference in their communities.

The Philip Lawrence Awards acknowledge groups of young people making life better for themselves and others. Winners will be celebrated at local and national award events and receive £1000-worth of prizes.

They are looking for groups of young people in the UK, aged between 11 and 20 who are doing extraordinary things for their communities: leading the way, crossing divides, building bridges between young people and adults, and making their communities stronger and safer.

Information about previous award winner, Lives Not Knives, is available here.

Nominate a project

Do you know a youth project that deserves to be recognised? To enter a project visit philiplawrenceawards.net/nominate2011 where you can either fill in the online nomination form or download it. The deadline for 2011 nominations is 7th November.