Posted on 07/10/2006 2:15:33 AM PDT by managusta
One of the region's top cops has called for a ban on pointed blades so that they cannot be used as lethal weapons.
The Chief Constable of Northumbria police Mike Craik said he would like to see implements like kitchen knives only being sold with rounded ends to make them safer.
He explained: "You rarely get victims who are sliced to death . . . they are usually stabbed.
"So, the problem is pointed knives. If you ask chefs how many times they need to use pointed knives they'll tell you they don't need them at all."
Mr Craik spoke out after backing the Sunday Sun's `No To Knives' campaign.
We want anybody convicted of carrying a knife or bladed weapon in public without lawful excuse to face an immediate jail sentence.
Mr Craik agreed that the justice system should be much tougher, and said it would give an incentive for his officers to carry out more stop and searches of those suspected of carrying a weapon.
He said: "As a police force we can do our bit and as long as the justice system use their sentencing powers and give meaningful sanctions then we can make a difference.
"I can increase stop and searches and arrests for carrying knives but without help from the justice system to create a deterrent that is not going to be productive.
"Carrying a knife is like getting caught carrying a gun . . . there has to be a sanction that reflects the seriousness of what you are doing. This is why I'm backing the Sunday Sun's campaign."
Northumbria Police have now joined Cleveland and Cumbria in backing the campaign.
Durham Police chief John Stoddart and North Yorkshire top cop Della Cannings have so far refused to get behind it.
According to Mr Craik, it is far too easy to obtain a knife or other bladed weapon and he questioned why there are so many so-called hunting knives on sale when there are not that many people who actually hunt.
He said: "Why are shops allowed to sell samurai swords or hunting knives to the public? I don't know anyone who uses a hunting knife, so why are there so many of them on sale?"
He dismissed suggestions that the clamour against knives is a knee-jerk reaction to a spate of recent stabbings in the region, including that of charity health worker Ashleigh Ewing and Carie Burns.
Ashleigh died on a home visit to a patient in Heaton, Newcastle, while Carie was killed with a samurai sword in Consett, County Durham.
Mr Craik said: "There is a realisation among the public that there is a real risk and that kids, particularly young males, are at the greatest risk.
"The current concern about knives is an emotional reaction to the risk to our children.
"This is why a deterrent sanction will make a difference . . . but we haven't got that at the moment.
"If the only issue to tougher sanctions is the capacity of prisons then there are ways of achieving this. For instance, if you have people jailed for non-payment of fines then get them out and create capacity that way.
"But even tougher sentencing will not make the problem disappear.
"It's about reducing the risk and managing it as effectively as we can.
"As a police force all we can do is make our opinion known and be willing to help reduce the incidence of knife crime."
Bernard Goetz in NY. I remember reading that some American tourist woman was given a stiff fine for pulling a penknife on some yuts who were threatening her a couple of years ago
I'm not even a chef, and I know that's a load of crap.
Lawn darts! Don't forget the Lawn Darts!
What an odd sense of humor...my kind of Freeper!
That's a mighty wide belt she's wearing - but it doesn't look like it's done her any good - her pants already fell off!
""victims who defend themselves against an attacker can be jailed for defending themselves."
Is this really true or is it an urban legend?
It seems hard to believe that if someone comes after you with a knife that you could be in trouble for fighting back."
It's certainly an exageration. If you fought back against an attacker and, at some point, a jury decided that the force you used was disproportionate, then you could be found guilty of a crime. This is the guidelines used by the Criminal Prosecution Service if considering a prosecution:
http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/section13/chapter_t.html
"t is important to ensure that all those acting reasonably and in good faith to defend themselves, their family, their property or in the prevention of crime or the apprehension of offenders are not prosecuted for such action."
Read post 40 and 41 in sequence, then see if you're still thinking about a sharpening machine based on your post!!! ;-P
"If you fought back against an attacker and, at some point, a jury decided that the force you used was disproportionate, then you could be found guilty of a crime."
Thanks for the clarification.
That sounds similar to the law in many states in the U.S. You can only use reasonable force against an attacker, i.e., you can't kill someone just because they take a swing at you. If they pull a deadly weapon on you then that's a different case and you can respond with deadly force.
Also, many states make the inside of your home a special case and will not prosecute for just about anything that you do to an intruder. But there are a number of states which require you to use no more force than necessary even in your home, and if you have the chance to retreat from the attacker then you are obligated to do so.
"Implements" with "rounded ends" can be quite useful as well;)
Even something as common as a ball point pen can be used as a weapon! I think in order to show good faith with this measure, Tony Blair should be forced to sign all important documents with a crayon!
I'm thinking of that scene in "The Patriot" where Mel Gibson attacks the British column that has just killed one of his sons, burnt his house, and taken his other son off to hang.
After Mel and his two youngest sons kill the entire British patrol, one poor Red Coat tries to flee into a creek, and Mel springs on him with his tomahawk and hacks him to bloody chum.
The chopping went on for like 30 or 40 seconds. Kind of a mess...
I'm thinking that maybe that they might find something that a little on the "disproportionate" side...
Already happened....
Seems that most young adults in UK can't operate a knife and fork since they have spent a lifetime stuffing on pizza, burgers and fries.....none of which require dexterous use of cullinary implements.
As for peas....and other veggies....forgetaboutit.
This is rubbish about cooks not needing a pointed knife to cook. Has anyone ever tried to cut into a rutabega?
These will be next. Lethal! LOL
that ain't a skirt... that's a butt-bandeau
A few years ago [on FR] there was an article about a guy in Britain who managed to kill another with a dessert spoon. I shudder to think of a mayhem he would have caused had he a heavier and sturdier tablespoon.
Pointed sticks is it? Too good for currants are you. Well let me tell you, you'll rue the day when you're attacked by a man with a peck of currants and you have no idea what to do because you wanted to learn about defending yourself pointed sticks instead.
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