Tackling knife crime

Des Morgan suggests (SA letters, 30 April) that senior Wiltshire Police officers and I are misguided in supporting education programmes to warn young people about the risks to themselves and others of carrying knives. I strongly disagree.

Deterring people from committing crime is a core part of the criminal justice system. There is no inconsistency between jailing knife crime offenders and warning people who are tempted to carry a knife what the likely outcome will be.

The Force’s focus on education, prevention and early intervention - particularly with young people - is not evidence of police officers being “too soft on crime”.

Officers and staff investigate knife crime incidents thoroughly in order to bring offenders to justice. They need the public’s help to eradicate knife crime and I hope anyone who has information about people who carry knives will do the right thing by calling 999 if a crime is in progress, or 101.

I agree with Mr Morgan that violent offenders, including those who use knives, should be sent to prison. It is encouraging to note that nearly two thirds of people convicted of crimes involving knives or other weapons were given custodial sentences last year, according to Ministry of Justice figures published in March. I am further encouraged that guidelines issued by the Sentencing Council, which come into effect next month, look likely to lead to increased sentences for people convicted of possessing a knife in public for use as an offensive weapon.

Angus Macpherson

Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon

Clear as a bell

There were two interesting articles in the SA Monday 30th April. The first article was the Reverend Simon Stevenette showing concern about a new development close to his church, he is worried that residents moving into the proposed new properties may try and silence the church bells. The church and its bells have been at this location for may years. Anyone who chooses to buy a property in close proximity of a church or similar building then complain should only blame themselves for not researching the area first.

The second article referred to a survey carried out about the low level of tree canopy cover in Swindon. It doesn’t come as any surprise when trees are constantly being felled in this town, Wichelstowe and Blunsdon being two recent examples. The council workmen have been in Ramleaze this week removing trees and bushes leaving a barren landscape just at the time of year when birds are building nests and producing their young. It’s of little wonder that the wildlife continues to struggle which beggars the questions of how many nests have been destroyed by this action.

R Albrighton

Tamworth DriveShaw

This is the real news

The national news has been dominated by antisemitism in the Labour Party and the Windrush scandal. As a result, readers may have missed this news.

On 10 June the Islamic Human Rights Commission plan to hold an Al Quds rally in London. Last year, two weeks after the London Bridge terror attacks, participants marched through London waving the flag of the Hezbollah terror group. Worse still, rally organisers used racist language. Rally organisers deliberately attempt to radicalise their audience as the police look on, hamstrung by inadequate political leadership and weak decision making.

If, like me, you are getting tired of politicians saying one thing and doing another, you can write to the new Home Secretary, Sajid Javid, calling on him to ban Al Quds and Hezbollah at www.israelbritain.org.uk/NEWSALQUDS.

Michael Kemp

Avonmead, Swindon

Never had it so good

I suppose we are all influenced by teachers in our school years, good and not so good.

To lighten up a bit, when you study school holidays it seems a “full time teacher” is a fantasy figure. When I pull teachers’ legs on phone-ins about massive holidays, some say “old Max had a rough time at school.”

Schools have changed! No corporal punishment as there was at Scunthorpe schools in my day. Boys sec-mods could be a bit like a not so open prison. I am researching modern schools. Research says our children are unhappy. What is it, exam pressure and too much homework? Still too large classes?

I shall dig deep! Nothing will change until we get classes down to 15 pupils. Teachers say it’s a pipe dream.

Max Nottingham

Lincoln