Your Oxford
Get involved: send your photos, videos, news & views by texting 'OXFORD NEWS' to 80360 or email »
Parents face questions over knives
4:31pm Monday 21st July 2008
Parents will be forced to sit down with police officers to explain why their children were carrying blades, under a new initiative to tackle knife crime.
Government figures released last week showed Thames Valley - which includes Oxfordshire - has suffered a knife crime almost every day for a year.
But police now want parents and families of youths carrying knives to be made to take more responsibility for the problem.
Under a Home Office-backed scheme, mentors will be brought in to work with every child arrested for carrying knives in Oxfordshire.
Their parents will also be forced to meet police face-to-face to discuss how they could stop their children arming themselves.
Insp John Fox, head of Operation Blunt, the Thames Valley force's strategy on knife crime, said: "The vast majority of parents are concerned about the welfare of their own children.
"It's a case of us working together, to make sure knife crime continues to decline.
"We will work with their families to make sure they don't get into the situation where they are pulling a knife on someone.
"Also, we need to make them understand it's neither safe, nor cool, to be carrying a knife and it's a really silly idea to carry a knife if you're feeling unsafe, because it can be used on you."
The force has been chosen by the Home Office as one of seven police areas to get extra funding to tackle knife crime.
Thames Valley will spend money on mentors and face-to-face meetings with parents.
Some of the cash will also be spent on extra knife arches to be deployed outside schools and pubs and clubs across the region.
Funding is due to be announced in August.
Government figures showed knives were used in 108 crimes - such as robbery and assault - in Oxfordshire in the 12 months until the end of March, including 54 in Oxford. During the past year Oxfordshire has suffered fewer knife incidents than counties such as Hampshire (388 incidents), Bedfordshire (316), Derbyshire (187) and Wiltshire (140). But there was more knife crime than Gloucestershire (85 incidents), Cambridgeshire (100) and Dorset (47).
Across the Thames Valley force area, there were 329 knife crime incidents in the same period.
Thames Valley is ranked as the second worst for knife crime in South East England.
However, there has been a seven per cent fall in recorded crime in Thames Valley.
And only 11 per cent of serious violent crime involved the use of knives the third lowest percentage across the country.
Your Say YourOxford
David, wantage says...
6:26pm Mon 21 Jul 08
Another case of talking a good fight by the authorities.
Jim, Oxford says...
6:26pm Mon 21 Jul 08
J, oxford says...
6:44pm Mon 21 Jul 08
I would say that most kids who carry knifes probably have parents who couldn't give a sh*t!
Perhaps some parent and child camps concentration camp style would help?? Or at least something that makes them "suffer" until they can learn to respect others.
I really don't get the whole knife carrying thing anyway, coz a real man only fights with his fists. Only a spineless coward would carry a weapon.
Alan Page, Guildford says...
7:09pm Mon 21 Jul 08
Ivor Littlejohn, Hell in a Hand cart (pushed by a chav, probably) says...
7:26pm Mon 21 Jul 08
Tom wrote:You've excelled yourself yet again by curling off the stinkiest, steamiest comment yet.
Chavs will be chavs,simple as that.
Why were they caught carrying knives???....i tell you why......
because their low life parents (if they are around)think that it is not such a big deal to do so.
As i have said before, we need a new disease like the plague to clear our streets.make the vaccine expensive so that those who work can afford it.
Those chavs who do not have money cannot buy and then problem solved.
I should be prime minister.
Your rant yesterday took some beating, about a teenager being knocked down in a hit-and-run, which you tenuously linked to the issue of immigration, but you've continued to amaze all of us with your opinions.
Harold, headington says...
7:37pm Mon 21 Jul 08
PS SHOUT OUTZ 2 ALAN PAGE N MARSTON ROAD JOE
Mr Ison, England says...
9:50pm Mon 21 Jul 08
Isn't that illegal?
Notice the guilt by association creeping in there.
Associated with Thames Valley police catchment no less.
Mr Ison, England says...
10:30pm Mon 21 Jul 08
Maybe they feel they have abolished all possibilities to use a knife?
Our problem is one of too many criminals writing too many self serving laws and using the police as thugs to enforce their will.
Unless something can be done about that it's all castles in the air.
Mr Ison, England says...
4:10am Tue 22 Jul 08
Mr Ison, England says...
4:41am Tue 22 Jul 08
'Politics' isn't good enough as in some of those cases as it would be illegal activity.
Joe, Marston Road says...
7:37am Tue 22 Jul 08
Alan Page wrote:Alan,
I would imagine the majority of parents would be totally unaware if their kids are out carrying knives or not.
You do not go far enough.
The majority of parents would not only be unaware that they are carrying knives; They would be unaware of where they are and what they are doing.
In some cases; who their children actually are?
Must check the Child Allowance book!
Dashing off to the Post Office; collecting the Benefits!
sim, oxford says...
9:20am Tue 22 Jul 08
Tom wrote:i think you do not understand it isnt the parents fault that their kids carry knives - how could it be ?
Chavs will be chavs,simple as that.
Why were they caught carrying knives???....i tell you why......
because their low life parents (if they are around)think that it is not such a big deal to do so.
As i have said before, we need a new disease like the plague to clear our streets.make the vaccine expensive so that those who work can afford it.
Those chavs who do not have money cannot buy and then problem solved.
I should be prime minister.
many kids buy them on the streets, not all of the kids as it were to be said its young adults that carry them, yes there are alot of knife crimes, many though are being committed in London, its been going on for years but because there has been one incident where one man nearly got killed by two silly adults its now being or trying to be resolved.
they have been sent to prison for this.
like the police ain't got nothing better to do and sit with parents to talk to their kids about knives and what could happen if they carry them.
they should go into schools and do the talk, and if parents want to go to the meetings then this is better, because if they go to everyones homes, my god they have a lot of work to do.
Tom, says...
11:05am Tue 22 Jul 08
Ivor Littlejohn wrote:Thanks a lot for the compliment,i will continue to try to say things that wind you up.
Tom wrote: Chavs will be chavs,simple as that. Why were they caught carrying knives???....i tell you why...... because their low life parents (if they are around)think that it is not such a big deal to do so. As i have said before, we need a new disease like the plague to clear our streets.make the vaccine expensive so that those who work can afford it. Those chavs who do not have money cannot buy and then problem solved. I should be prime minister.You've excelled yourself yet again by curling off the stinkiest, steamiest comment yet. Your rant yesterday took some beating, about a teenager being knocked down in a hit-and-run, which you tenuously linked to the issue of immigration, but you've continued to amaze all of us with your opinions.
Let me make some things clear to you.
(1)under new labour a generation of chavs has been incubated,fact.
(2)mass immigration has been like a cancer to this country,streching every resource we have,fact
I make no apologies for the comments i have made,including the one about the hit and run driver.
You might live in a fantasy world where this country is ok, but you are just betraying your country.
The problem with people like you is that you do not have a backbone,i prefer to call people like you "sheep biatches".
More worried about offending people than dealing with genuine issues.
But i guess you know best......
Tom, says...
11:08am Tue 22 Jul 08
Jim wrote:Are you a chav lover Jim?
Judging by the amount of cr*p that comes out of your mouth, you definitely should be made prime minister Tom.
Or are you a slave to the lying murdering regime that you choose to ignore, due to the "im alright,my mortgage gets paid" attitude.
JB, says...
11:58am Tue 22 Jul 08
i think you do not understand it isnt the parents fault that their kids carry knives - how could it be ?
The mechanics of how they acquire the knives is not the real issue, the REAL issue is why they want to carry them in the first place and why they think it's ok to do so.
Who's responsible for bringing-up children that think that carrying a knife is ok and is the answer to whatever perceived problems the kid has?
Tell me, who brought-up your kids?
Mr Ison, England says...
12:24pm Tue 22 Jul 08
M, Oxford says...
12:43pm Tue 22 Jul 08
Sorry J, but "Real Men" walk away from a fight, "idiots" use their fists.
I used to be more liberal in my younger years but the worrying number of crimes and the increasing violence meted out by teens has pushed me more towards believing that it's about time we stopped pandering to people.
These kids need to be slapped down and constantly slapped down until they learn that they don't get to do whatever they feel like.
Back to borstals, bang them up and don't let them out until they're broken. Punish parents heavily for the crimes of their children too. Being forced to pick up litter everyday for a few months in front of their neighbours and on the high street might give them pause for thought.
Corporal punishment too, bring that back.
These little thugs don't fear anything, they carry a knife to instil fear. Well? I say put the fear of god up them.
Chris, Oxford says...
12:49pm Tue 22 Jul 08
Tom wrote:...of Nazi Germany?
Chavs will be chavs,simple as that.
Why were they caught carrying knives???....i tell you why......
because their low life parents (if they are around)think that it is not such a big deal to do so.
As i have said before, we need a new disease like the plague to clear our streets.make the vaccine expensive so that those who work can afford it.
Those chavs who do not have money cannot buy and then problem solved.
I should be prime minister.
Jim, Oxford says...
12:52pm Tue 22 Jul 08
Tom wrote:Far from being a chav lover Tom, I think that rather than make allegorical assumptions you should provide facts and be more constructive.
Jim wrote: Judging by the amount of cr*p that comes out of your mouth, you definitely should be made prime minister Tom.Are you a chav lover Jim? Or are you a slave to the lying murdering regime that you choose to ignore, due to the "im alright,my mortgage gets paid" attitude.
You should maybe spend less time writing violent comments like these and travel a bit more, it's good for character building. Go and talk to people abroad and hear what they have to say about British expats, it might open your eyes...
Tom, says...
1:10pm Tue 22 Jul 08
Jim wrote:I really do struggle to see how my comments can be classed as "violent".
Tom wrote:Far from being a chav lover Tom, I think that rather than make allegorical assumptions you should provide facts and be more constructive. You should maybe spend less time writing violent comments like these and travel a bit more, it's good for character building. Go and talk to people abroad and hear what they have to say about British expats, it might open your eyes...Jim wrote: Judging by the amount of cr*p that comes out of your mouth, you definitely should be made prime minister Tom.Are you a chav lover Jim? Or are you a slave to the lying murdering regime that you choose to ignore, due to the "im alright,my mortgage gets paid" attitude.
I think because you are a spineless weak liberal,anybody who shows a strong opinion or some balls, appears violent to you.It may just be an insecurity you have, being so weak and all.
I have travelled a lot in my life,that is what has formed my views.
I suppose the hippy parents you no doubt had, taught you that travel made you realise what a great world it is out there.
I am afraid to break it to you.....the world is not a nice place,full of liars and murderers (mainly in power).
As for your comment of "Go and talk to people abroad and hear what they have to say about British expats, it might open your eyes"
I do not see how this relates to what we were talking about,i am not even British.
Well i will let you go now,you will never know when the government might release another false terror alert (you know the ones,designed to frighten idiots like you into supporting illegal wars etc)
I suspect you have a spot set up, right behind you couch for such occasions (you and your teddy that is).........
Chris, says...
1:19pm Tue 22 Jul 08
Chris wrote:Is that you Chris Martin?
Tom wrote: Chavs will be chavs,simple as that. Why were they caught carrying knives???....i tell you why...... because their low life parents (if they are around)think that it is not such a big deal to do so. As i have said before, we need a new disease like the plague to clear our streets.make the vaccine expensive so that those who work can afford it. Those chavs who do not have money cannot buy and then problem solved. I should be prime minister....of Nazi Germany?
I thought i recognised the hippy liberalism in your post.
Nazi Germany,extrememely bad.
Coldplay great.
I love you Chris!
Jim, Oxford says...
1:47pm Tue 22 Jul 08
Tom wrote:Travelled where? Bognor Regis? Big word insecurity, do you understand it or you had to look it up before leaving yet another useless piece of information? Oh and don't be afraid to break info to people, it is quite liberating to do these things once in a while...Looking forward to another pearl of wisdom Tom.
Jim wrote:I really do struggle to see how my comments can be classed as "violent". I think because you are a spineless weak liberal,anybody who shows a strong opinion or some balls, appears violent to you.It may just be an insecurity you have, being so weak and all. I have travelled a lot in my life,that is what has formed my views. I suppose the hippy parents you no doubt had, taught you that travel made you realise what a great world it is out there. I am afraid to break it to you.....the world is not a nice place,full of liars and murderers (mainly in power). As for your comment of "Go and talk to people abroad and hear what they have to say about British expats, it might open your eyes" I do not see how this relates to what we were talking about,i am not even British. Well i will let you go now,you will never know when the government might release another false terror alert (you know the ones,designed to frighten idiots like you into supporting illegal wars etc) I suspect you have a spot set up, right behind you couch for such occasions (you and your teddy that is).........Tom wrote:Far from being a chav lover Tom, I think that rather than make allegorical assumptions you should provide facts and be more constructive. You should maybe spend less time writing violent comments like these and travel a bit more, it's good for character building. Go and talk to people abroad and hear what they have to say about British expats, it might open your eyes...Jim wrote: Judging by the amount of cr*p that comes out of your mouth, you definitely should be made prime minister Tom.Are you a chav lover Jim? Or are you a slave to the lying murdering regime that you choose to ignore, due to the "im alright,my mortgage gets paid" attitude.
Tom (in awe of Jim), says...
5:12pm Tue 22 Jul 08
Jim wrote:Never been to Bognor myself,all a bit too traditional and gives me the creeps.
Tom wrote:Travelled where? Bognor Regis? Big word insecurity, do you understand it or you had to look it up before leaving yet another useless piece of information? Oh and don\'t be afraid to break info to people, it is quite liberating to do these things once in a while...Looking forward to another pearl of wisdom Tom.Jim wrote:I really do struggle to see how my comments can be classed as \"violent\". I think because you are a spineless weak liberal,anybody who shows a strong opinion or some balls, appears violent to you.It may just be an insecurity you have, being so weak and all. I have travelled a lot in my life,that is what has formed my views. I suppose the hippy parents you no doubt had, taught you that travel made you realise what a great world it is out there. I am afraid to break it to you.....the world is not a nice place,full of liars and murderers (mainly in power). As for your comment of \"Go and talk to people abroad and hear what they have to say about British expats, it might open your eyes\" I do not see how this relates to what we were talking about,i am not even British. Well i will let you go now,you will never know when the government might release another false terror alert (you know the ones,designed to frighten idiots like you into supporting illegal wars etc) I suspect you have a spot set up, right behind you couch for such occasions (you and your teddy that is).........Tom wrote:Far from being a chav lover Tom, I think that rather than make allegorical assumptions you should provide facts and be more constructive. You should maybe spend less time writing violent comments like these and travel a bit more, it\'s good for character building. Go and talk to people abroad and hear what they have to say about British expats, it might open your eyes...Jim wrote: Judging by the amount of cr*p that comes out of your mouth, you definitely should be made prime minister Tom.Are you a chav lover Jim? Or are you a slave to the lying murdering regime that you choose to ignore, due to the \"im alright,my mortgage gets paid\" attitude.
If i were to disclose the extent of my world travel i think you would be impressed,but i am not one to boast.
Jim it seems like i have hit a nerve,did not mean to,but maybe the truth does hurt you.
It is never too late to be a man.Try it.
Mr Ison, England says...
9:40pm Tue 22 Jul 08
Your sayYourOxford
Add your comment
Register for a FREE Oxford Mail account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.
Please register now or sign in below to continue.
Insp John Fox
In this section
Sponsored Links
Local Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Tom, says...
6:09pm Mon 21 Jul 08
Why were they caught carrying knives???....i tell you why......
because their low life parents (if they are around)think that it is not such a big deal to do so.
As i have said before, we need a new disease like the plague to clear our streets.make the vaccine expensive so that those who work can afford it.
Those chavs who do not have money cannot buy and then problem solved.
I should be prime minister.