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Knife crime figures 'disturbing' Young target of 450 knife crimes
(about 7 hours later)
There has been a disturbing rise in knife crime in Northern Ireland over the last five years, East Antrim MP Sammy Wilson has said. More than 450 young people in Northern Ireland were threatened or hurt with knives in the last five years, according to government figures.
Figures on knife assaults were provided to Mr Wilson in a reply to a written question to NI Secretary Paul Goggins. Just over 100 attacks on youths aged under 18 happened in the last year, NI Secretary Paul Goggins said.
Mr Wilson said they show 450 people under 18 after been victims of knife crime in NI since the start of 2003. In 2006/07, 260 people of all ages were victims of knife crime. But that number rose to 423 in the past 12 months.
In 2006/07 260 people of all ages were victims of knife crime. Last year the number rose to 423. DUP MP Sammy Wilson said the idea of carrying a knife to protect yourself ought "to be rubbished".
Mr Wilson said it was time to stop "this worrying trend". "It can't be right that a young person can walk into a shop and purchase a blade up to 10in or 12in in length," he said.
"I have no doubt that the vast majority of these young people attacked with knives were targeted by people of a similar age to themselves. Mr Wilson said no-one could have a legitimate reason for wanting to carry a knife and it was time to stop what had become "a worrying trend".
"It can't be right that a young person can walk into a shop and purchase a blade up to 10 or 12 inches in length," he said. "I welcome the news that the new Criminal Justice Order will mean that knives can no long be sold to under-18s," he said.
"No person could have a legitimate reason for wanting to own such an offensive weapon and I welcome the news that the new Criminal Justice Order will mean that knives can no longer be sold to under-18s." "Almost a third of victims of knife crime are under 18 and I hope that the new CJO will help to greatly reduce this number."