Poll backs jail for knife-carriers

3:38am Sunday 20th July 2008

More than two-thirds of young people believe anyone caught carrying a knife in public should be jailed for two years, according to a poll.

A total of 71% of 16 to 24-year-olds gave their support to the News of the World's Save our Streets campaign, which is calling for a mandatory two-year prison sentence.

In an ICM poll, 75% also think current punishments are too soft.

Other findings include 93% who think police should have the power to stop and search people they think have a knife.

Four in 10 (41%) of those polled said they have seen someone carrying a knife or threatening someone with it in public, while 11% have been threatened or attacked with a knife.

A total of 81% said youngsters get their knives from home, and most said they carry them because they are in a gang.

The only way to stop people carrying knives is to jail them, according to 62% of those questioned, with less than half (40%) backing night-time curfews for under 18s.

The poll also shows those aged between 16 and 20 and those who are working class are more likely to have been attacked, and back tougher punishments.

Tackling gang culture was identified as the best way to limit knife crime.

ICM Research interviewed 500 16-24 year olds online on July 16-18.

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