This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-24485027
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Birmingham knife amnesty agreed 'in principle' by PCC | Birmingham knife amnesty agreed 'in principle' by PCC |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A knife amnesty is to be held in Birmingham following five fatal stabbings since March. | A knife amnesty is to be held in Birmingham following five fatal stabbings since March. |
| The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the West Midlands, Bob Jones, announced the plans after a meeting about the issue between the force and Birmingham City Council. | The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the West Midlands, Bob Jones, announced the plans after a meeting about the issue between the force and Birmingham City Council. |
| Justice Minister Jeremy Wright said knife crime was falling. | Justice Minister Jeremy Wright said knife crime was falling. |
| Derrick Campbell, a former government advisor on knife crime, said an amnesty would not make a difference. | Derrick Campbell, a former government advisor on knife crime, said an amnesty would not make a difference. |
| Speaking on Thursday, PCC Mr Jones said: "We haven't agreed the final details, we have agreed in principle that it's going to happen. | Speaking on Thursday, PCC Mr Jones said: "We haven't agreed the final details, we have agreed in principle that it's going to happen. |
| "We need to work through how it's going to work, how it's going to be publicised, and that's part of the task that we do have ahead." | "We need to work through how it's going to work, how it's going to be publicised, and that's part of the task that we do have ahead." |
| 'Not a deterrent' | 'Not a deterrent' |
| But Mr Campbell, who founded and chaired the group Birmingham Reducing Gang Violence, said he had been involved in three knife amnesties in the past. | |
| "Unless they are targeted and time limited they aren't effective," he said. | "Unless they are targeted and time limited they aren't effective," he said. |
| "They do very little to deter people who are determined to carry a knife and there won't be a real drop in crime. | "They do very little to deter people who are determined to carry a knife and there won't be a real drop in crime. |
| "All it does is provide an opportunity for people to get rid of old rusty blades. For something meaningful to happen it's about changing people's attitudes to carrying knives." | "All it does is provide an opportunity for people to get rid of old rusty blades. For something meaningful to happen it's about changing people's attitudes to carrying knives." |
| Imposing tougher custodial sentences would have a more positive impact on reducing knife crime, he added. | Imposing tougher custodial sentences would have a more positive impact on reducing knife crime, he added. |
| The PCC said he wanted the idea of a knife amnesty discussed by the 200 young people who will be at a youth summit he is hosting on 3 December. | The PCC said he wanted the idea of a knife amnesty discussed by the 200 young people who will be at a youth summit he is hosting on 3 December. |
| "We want this to be something that works and resonates with young people to make sure that whatever the strategy is, it's meaningful," Mr Jones said. | "We want this to be something that works and resonates with young people to make sure that whatever the strategy is, it's meaningful," Mr Jones said. |
| Mr Jones praised the ideas on tackling knife crime that came from an "excellent debate" organised by BBC WM. | Mr Jones praised the ideas on tackling knife crime that came from an "excellent debate" organised by BBC WM. |
| West Midlands Police launched the Knives cost Lives campaign in January. | West Midlands Police launched the Knives cost Lives campaign in January. |
| There have been five fatal stabbings in the city since March, including 15-year-old Hassan Mahmood in July and 16-year-old Christina Edkins, who was stabbed on a bus in March. | There have been five fatal stabbings in the city since March, including 15-year-old Hassan Mahmood in July and 16-year-old Christina Edkins, who was stabbed on a bus in March. |
| Her killer, Phillip Simelane, from Walsall, has been detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act. | |
| According to figures released by police, knife crime in Birmingham dropped by 25% between April 2011 and 2012. | According to figures released by police, knife crime in Birmingham dropped by 25% between April 2011 and 2012. |
| In 2012-13, there were 1,615 knife-related incidents in the city, although police said over the past six years knife crime had fallen by 63% across the force area. | In 2012-13, there were 1,615 knife-related incidents in the city, although police said over the past six years knife crime had fallen by 63% across the force area. |
| Justice Minister Jeremy Wright said: "Overall knife crime is falling and a higher proportion of people are going to prison for knife possession than in previous years. | Justice Minister Jeremy Wright said: "Overall knife crime is falling and a higher proportion of people are going to prison for knife possession than in previous years. |
| "It's encouraging that cautions have fallen and those who have previously been caught carrying a knife are twice as likely to go to prison." | "It's encouraging that cautions have fallen and those who have previously been caught carrying a knife are twice as likely to go to prison." |