Suffolk anti-knife campaigner says increasing prison sentences won't keep knives off the streets
The government's announced they're increasing sentences for possession
The founder of the 'Be Lucky Anti-Crime Foundation' in Suffolk says increasing prison sentences isn't enough to stop people possessing knives.
This comes after the government announced yesterday that a maximum penalty for the importation, manufacturing, possession and sale of zombie knives and machetes will also be increased from six months to two years
The government says the decision's been made in a bid to crack down on their use in devastating street violence and includes the following:
• A new ban on machetes and zombie-style knives that have no practical use
• More powers for police to seize knives that could be used in crimes
• New offence and higher sentencing to root out the sale and possession of these dangerous weapons
Previously police could not seize knives found on private property.
However, these changes now allow police to seize and destroy knives found on private premises if there are reasonable grounds to believe the blade will be used in a serious crime.
The Home Office have announced they will also introduce "a new offence for possession of bladed articles with the intention to endanger life or cause fear of violence".
They will also be asking the Sentencing Council to amend sentencing guidelines so possession of bladed and offensive weapons is treated more severely than possession of non-prohibited weapons.
"It needs to be tackled at the source"
Despite these changes, the founder of the 'Be Lucky Anti Crime Foundation', Paul Stansby feels it is still not enough.
Suffolk-based Paul has been campaigning against knife crime since his brother passed away from a knife attack in broad daylight.
Paul told us his brother was simply "in the wrong place at the wrong time".
Since then he has been trying to educate others and help young people step away from crime.
He has also installed Emergency Bleed Control Kits all around Suffolk, in case anyone needs medical attention.
Paul wants the manufacturers to have restrictions and guidelines: "We need to tackle it at the source.
"Knives should be treated in the same way as guns. Each one should have a serial number engraved onto it so that it can be traced back to whoever bought it."
Young people
Paul also told us more needs to be done to stop young people getting involved with violence and crime: "It shouldn't be glamorised and parents need to have open conversations with their children."