Taking part in a recent radio show that interviewed knife-carrying kids in my neck-of -the woods, it was clear that they carry for many reasons. First – kids are afraid that without one they will be vulnerable to others with knives. Second – it gives status. With a knife you may not have much else but you’re a big man and who’s going to diss you now? And third – for some it is a fashion accessory.

Lots of kids don’t even know that if you cut an artery in the leg it can kill you. Most of them carry and don’t intend to use – but it happens and they ‘plunge’ and that’s it. So – as with drunk driving – a hard hitting campaign about the consequences of carrying a knife both for the victim and the aggressor can make an impact over time. It’s about education about the realities; face-to-face work with the families or survivors of knifings – so consequences are faced.

We also should have equal sentencing for carrying a knife as carrying a gun – but simple locking away on its own can just shield young people from the reality of their actions, and so doesn’t help reduce the reoffending rate when they’re released. (Far too often it’s forgotten that most people jailed will be released at some point – unless we start imposing ridiculously over-the-top life sentences for every crime – which means making sure people don’t go out and commit more crimes after their sentence is completed is crucial). So – in addition, a combination of punishment, retribution, reparation and rehabilitation is needed.

Next – take away the relative security that young people feel about not being caught carrying a knife. Random metal detector arches going into key places – out of the blue. Has to be random – in timing and placement. I’m against permanent arches in places like schools as that brutalises children and they would just leave them elsewhere anyway. But if that sense of not being caught could be removed – and it becomes too dodgy to carry – the less they will carry.

Then there is the real work is about listening to kids and learning what has to happen to make them feel safe enough not to carry a knife; feel valued enough not to need the status and what it will take to disabuse them of the idea that it is cool. And to do that – we need their help. So we need some poacher turned gamekeepers to help us work it out. It may be part diversion, part care and attention, part education, part aspiration and perhaps taking young people out of their own normal environments – away from peer groups and out of comfort zones and home territory. Remove them from the culture itself and put them to good use helping others, such as doing community service in locations away from home.

One thing for sure, it won’t be quick and it won’t be easy – and it won’t be as cheap as another headline or rushed, knee-jerk legislation!

Anyway, enough from me – let me have your views!

This piece first appeared on LiberalReview.com.