This Government is treating knife crime like it’s a public health issue, writes the publican and broadcaster

I will not dress this up. The Labour Government’s approach to knife crime isn’t just misguided, it’s weak, and it’s reckless.

They’re treating knife crime like it’s a public health issue. Like it’s a bad diet or smoking habit. Something you fix with counselling, mentoring, and a few soft-touch interventions.

Knife crime is not a lifestyle choice. It’s violence. It’s fear. It’s life and death.

And I say this as someone who knows exactly what that looks like.

My father was murdered 30 years ago by a machete gang outside our pub. I’ve spent much of my adult years around this world, studying it, dealing with it, trying to push back on it.

I’ve owned pubs, clubs, restaurants and bars. I’ve spoken to everyone, from black street gangs, old-school East End gangsters, and kids who carry knives “just in case”.

And now I’ve got a 16-year-old son, and I’ll be honest, I’m not just worried - I’m absolutely petrified every time he walks out the door.

Because here’s the truth that people in Westminster don’t seem to understand at all.

They’re carrying out of fear. Fear that everyone else has one. Fear that if something kicks off, they’re the only ones without protection. Because there’s simply no belief or trust in the police anymore.

Well, according to the Labour leadership and David Lammy, the solution is mandatory counselling, education programmes, and “support pathways”.

Do you honestly think the lads carrying knives with intent are scared of a mentoring session?

Do you think the bloke walking around with a machete is worried about being told to attend a workshop?

Because right now, there is no fear of consequences as there simply isn’t any.

There’s no visible policing anymore. You don’t see officers on the streets like you used to. And when people do get caught, what happens?

We’ve seen people caught multiple times with serious blades, like machetes, or Rambo knives, not penknives, and they’re still walking the streets.

Judges handing out soft sentences or suspended sentences like it’s a parking ticket.

They’ve effectively watered down sentencing even more, with the ability to suspend sentences up to 3 years, and hand out “alternatives” instead of custody.

In simple terms: carry a knife, and you’ll probably get away with it.

If you want to stop knife crime, you need one thing above all else, deterrence.

If you get caught carrying a knife, you go to prison. No excuses, no loopholes, and no soft judge giving you a second chance.

You bring back proper stop and search, visible, consistent, and unapologetic. It works. It always has. People don’t normally carry weapons if they think they’re going to get caught.

And you go hard on education, not this fluffy nonsense, but real education.

Bring in ex-offenders. Bring in families who’ve lost sons, daughters, fathers. Show kids exactly where this road leads.

And then back it up with a national media blitz. The same level of intensity we saw during Covid. With TV, radio adverts, and social media, everywhere.

Instead, what we’ve got is a government trying to hug the problem away.

Because until you bring back fear of consequences, real fear, knife crime isn’t going down.

And it’s ordinary families and ordinary kids that will pay the price.