Automatic jail for Mersey knife crime youngsters

Feb 19 2008 by Clare Hickie, Liverpool Daily Post

MERSEYSIDE youngsters caught carrying a knife will face automatic jail sentences for a first offence.

The move is part of a review of criminal law launched after the killing of Liverpool teenager Anthony Walker and other high-profile murders.

Home secretary Jacqui Smith wants those found carrying a blade longer than three inches to be imprisoned for up to four years.

She will also instruct police to take a “zero tolerance” approach and stop letting youngsters off with a caution.

The crackdown meets earlier demands from a city Labour MP who last month questioned whether installing metal detectors in local schools was workable.

Walton’s Peter Kilfoyle said: “We want tougher punishment and to send out a message that carrying a knife will not be tolerated.”

Under Ms Smith’s plan, harsher and automatic sentencing will run in tandem with detector technology. Recent research found one in 10 children saw another person being attacked at school, and children as young as 11 regularly carry knives.

Ms Smith’s new crime strategy was unveiled in the Commons yesterday.