‘Stop a stabber’ - text 88551 on your phone to stop knife criminals

Report anyone carrying or using a knife (or knives) now by texting 88551 on your mobile phone – and you stay anonymous.

It’s that easy. Simply type in as much information as you know about the knife criminals and send your message to 88551.

That’s it. An anonymous service (for knife-carrying) where you will not be identified as an informant. Piloted in London, the scheme is now running nationwide.

Kind of like to think that people using this service are like shrewd secret agents… a hidden army of Simon Templars and 007s out there keeping UK streets safe from deadly idiots and, more importantly perhaps, organised criminals and gangs.

It is recommended to text four key bits of info about the knife criminals:

1. Name and/or nickname
2. Postcode / area
3. School or workplace
4. School year / approx age

Normal texting costs apply (usual network rates) – and don’t forget to delete the text from your sent box to keep yourself squeaky clean!

(Sophisticated technology is used that’s been developed and run by mBlox and Anderson Software to ensure Crimestoppers cannot trace the mobile number or any other details about the text message sender.)

Let’s flippin’ use it, and let’s stop these knife wielding flippers… let’s ruin the lives of the ‘ungodly’…

Police crime statistics map tool now on a computer near you

KNIFE crime statistics - just spotted a neat resource for checking crime in your area - CrimeMapper. It provides information on crime and antisocial behaviour where you live across England and Wales.

It is possible to access and compare latest info on a range of crime types with other neighbourhoods. Check out the CrimeMapper link here.

For instance, violent crime is up in London compared to the same three-month period last year.

Details of your local neighbourhood police team are also available as well as policing priorities and information on the policing pledge. If you're investigating knife crime statistics etc, this could be a very useful research tool. Do let me know how you use this tool, and other resources on this site (please).

'Miles Not Knives' (the 2010 anti-knife campaign)

Danny O'Brien agreed to introduce the 'Miles not Knives' campaign for 2010 on the knife crime blog:

______________

"...

Well, this is my first post for the knife crime blog.

'Miles not Knives' has been running for just over a year and in that time has grown in membership and I hope has established itself as an anti-knife group that does more then just sit on Facebook saying loads but doing nowt.

Much of my campaigning has been across London and I've met some amazing people. But I am hoping to do even more campaigning, including the strongest focus on raising knife crime awareness among even more people in 2010.

A 250-mile walk from Darlington to London is planned for later this year and I would also like to raise money for four other charities that help victims and their families.

I know I have been nominated for an award with a national paper, but that award in my eyes is for all those who believed in what I am trying to do.

Sadly I can't promise to end knife crime, but together we can try and save more lives than the numbers we have been losing at present. With more awareness we can do that.

warmest regards

Danny

..."

The curious case of the Mylene Klass knife crime affair

The Mylene Klass knife crime affair sounds like some kind of strange publicity stunt - for police and Klass.

When a gang of hoodlums threaten you at your house, are you likely to provoke them by waving a knife? Possibly most unwise in the extreme when you'd rather not have violent thugs bursting in, trying to take you out.

I'm sure the police were right to warn her about brandishing a knife. Klass said she did it because it was something any mother would do. I'm not sure they would... would you, Mum? Better to call 999 maybe - but then what would you do waiting for the emergency services to turn up?

Publicity for celebrities around knife crime is a difficult issue. They can seem to benefit from some association with it but haven't really stepped up to the plate and worked to solve it, have they?

That said, it's a dangerous platform to put your name too - it could make you an assassination target.

In Mylene's case, no-one should have to put up with any kind of gang wandering about their private property. Very scary indeed.

Overall, curious. Interesting that it prompted this article on the BBC website. Free publicity for lawyers.

Knife crime deaths in east London

East London is featuring as an area for regular knife crime incidents. In the latest tragedy, a 'Good Samaritan' father-of-one who went to help a mugging victim near Barking railway station has been killed - see 'Hero father stabbed to death' article in the Guardian.

The two male suspects have been described as black, aged in their 20s to 30s, and about 5ft 7in to 6ft.

Weapon carrying is a major problem in this part of the city, especially among gang members. An 18-year-old was found days before Christmas lying dead in a Bow street with multiple stab wounds.

I still ask what possesses people to carry weapons. Perhaps that question is easier to answer than actually using one. Whatever, it makes me sick to the pit of my stomach. Why kill someone? What possible benefit can there be? There is none - all it brings is misery.

Now, early in 2010, a child is left father-less by such murderous criminals and that child must deal with life without a caring parent.

Often writing this blog I feel powerless to help. Set up as a memorial for those killed by knife crime, I sometimes feel it's only words. But each of us should try to do something, surely. For those who mourn today my heart goes out - and I know that's not enough at this time, by miles...

For information purposes, the Guardian has a special section that chronologically records UK knife crime incidents and other related news.

On a final point, if there is advice to give at this time, it is simply to say to others that they should not get caught up in street fights.

If there is the likelihood you might get injured by a knife-wielding thug (or gang members), run away - live to fight another day, another way. Do the observant thing though if you get a chance. Take a good look at them, note their clothes, hair style, shoes etc - pass all that useful info to the police. If and when they catch them, do an identity parade and point them out.

You are worth more to us alive than dead, worth so much more than the scum with the knives (and guns). Step by step we will beat them.

'Miles Not Knives' nominated as Children's Champion

READ and learn about Danny O'Brien who runs the 'Miles Not Knives' group - you would be wise to vote for him as a Children's Champion in the News of the World. You can also join the 'Miles Not Knives' Facebook group.

Soon (hopefully), he will be penning the odd post for this knife crime blog. Please give him a warm welcome - it's cold and deadly out there sometimes, it's very sad to say. Into a new decade against murders and violence we go...