Memorandum submitted by Dr Stuart Newton
SUMMARY OF
MAIN POINTS
A. The culture of violence amongst young
people is a long-standing problem, about which warnings have been
given over many years.
B. There are undercurrents of ethnicity
in the problem. The proportion of young Black African and Black
Caribbean victims in London far outweighs their proportion in
the population as a whole.
C. The incidence of knife crime amongst
young Britons is perceived to be far greater than in almost any
other country in Europe.
D. In order to tackle knife crime effectively,
we need to change the pervasive culture of violence in UK: merely
applying draconian sanctions to those who carry knives, or use
them as weapons, is not enough.
E. The future—developing the right
strategy.
A. The culture of violence amongst young
people is a long-standing problem, about which warnings have been
given over many years
1. The culture of violence in London has
been developing steadily over the last three decades. In the mid-80s
my staff and I, in a Croydon comprehensive school, noted a worrying
increase in the number of young people who were prepared to resort
to physical violence to sort out disputes. Those disputes often
began outside the school, but were brought in, presumably because
so many of the participants were present in a relatively confined
space. At that time, most of the disputes involved fist-fights
but, even in the 80s, we noted a trend towards using improvised
weapons, such as baseball bats and knitting needles.
2. In the 80s and 90s, when I received information
suggesting that a pupil was carrying an item that could be used
as an offensive weapon, (such as a knives, sticks and boots with
steel toecaps), I instigated spot-checks of bags and clothing.
At that time, I was on questionable legal ground in demanding
that pupils submit to such a search. It has taken the tragic deaths
of far too many young people to get a change in the law that is
supportive of Heads and other frontline staff.
3. My staff and I were not alone in noting
this growing trend of violence in London. Of course we informed
officers in the Local Education Authority, as well as our Governors.
Doubtless, elected members were also informed. We even felt that
the matter was sufficiently serious to inform officials at the
Department for Education and Science: there was no response.
4. What conclusions can we draw from these
events?
(a) Violence has been around in schools for some
time.
(b) Violence, initially with blunt weapons, has
increased since the 1980s.
(c) When the problem was relatively minor, and
manageable, warnings were given to those who could have initiated
action. This did not happen.
(d) Only after the problem of violence has become
so much more high profile has any action been taken to enable
those in the frontline to tackle it. That action is welcome, but
far too late.
B. There are undercurrents of ethnicity in
the problem. The proportion of young Black African and Black Caribbean
victims in London far outweighs their proportion in the population
as a whole
5. In London, between January and September
2008, 21 young people were stabbed, 3 were shot, and 3 were murdered
with glass or with blunt instruments.
Of those 27 young victims, 11 were Black African,
10 (?) were Black Caribbean, 4 were white, 1 was Vietnamese and
1 was Sri Lankan. The table below gives details.
27 TEENAGERS, MURDERED IN LONDON IN THE FIRST
NINE MONTHS OF 2008
When?
| Surname | First Name
| Ethnic Origin | Age
| How? | Where? |
| 01/01/08 | BOLOMBI | Henry
| Congolese | 17 | Stabbed
| Edmonton |
| 04/01/08 | ALIZADA | Faridon
| Somalian | 18 | Stabbed
| Erith |
| 21/01/08 | BODUKA | Louis
| Congolese | 18 | Stabbed
| Edmonton |
| 26/01/08 | BURALEH | Fuad
| Somalian | 19 | Blunt object
| Ealing |
| 18/02/08 | ESSIET | Sunday
| Nigerian | 15 | Stabbed
| Plumstead |
| 02/03/08 | LE | Tung
| Vietnamese | 17 | Stabbed
| Central |
| 29/02/08 | NMEZU | Ofiyke
| Nigerian | 16 | Blunt object
| Edmonton |
| 13/03/08 | JONES | Michael
| Afr-Carib? | 18 | Stabbed
| Edmonton |
| 14/03/08 | CLARKE | Nicholas
| Afr-Carib? | 19 | Shot
| Stockwell |
| 27/03/08 | ROACH | Devoe
| Afr-Carib? | 17 | Stabbed
| Stam Hill |
| 27/03/08 | ELBADAWI | Amro
| Egyptian | 14 | Stabbed
| W. Kilburn |
| 04/05/08 | TULLOCH | Lyle
| Afr-Carib? | 15 | Stabbed
| Southwark |
| 09/05/08 | MIZEN | Jimmy
| White | 16 | Slashed
| Lee |
| 24/05/08 | KNOX | Robert
| White | 18 | Stabbed
| Sidcup |
| 24/05/08 | HASSAN | Sharmaake
| Somalian | 17 | Shot
| Camden |
| 02/06/08 | DAWIT | Arsema
| Eritrean | 15 | Stabbed
| Lambeth |
| 29/06/08 | KINSELLA | Ben
| White | 16 | Stabbed
| Holloway |
| 03/07/08 | TOWNSEND | Shakilus
| Afr-Carib? | 16 | Stabbed
| Croydon |
| 07/07/08 | IDOWU | David
| Nigerian | 14 | Stabbed
| Borough |
| 10/07/08 | BRYAN | Melvin
| Afr-Carib? | 18 | Stabbed
| Edmonton |
| 1707/08 | MOODY | Freddy
| Afr-Carib? | 18 | Stabbed
| Lambeth |
| 06/08/08 | BRAVO | Ryan
| Afr-Carib? | 18 | Shot
| Walworth |
| 16/08/08 | MURDDI | Nilanthan
| Sri Lankan | 17 | Stabbed
| Croydon |
| 24/08/08 | HENDRICKS | Charles
| Afr-Carib? | 18 | Stabbed
| Walthamstow |
| 30/08/08 | SMITH | Shaquille
| Afr-Carib? | 14 | Stabbed
| Hackney |
| 13/09/08 | KINGONZILA | Oliver
| Congolese | 19 | Stabbed
| Croydon |
| 25/09/08 | MARSHALL | Craig
| White | 19 | Stabbed
| Acton |
| |
| | | |
|
The figures for 2007 are no less disturbing. Of the 27 teenagers
who were murdered in London, 7 were Black African, 12 Black Caribbean,
4 were white and 4 were members of other ethnic groups.
6. The proportions of victims of different ethnic origins
bear no relationship to the proportions of those groups in the
population of London as a whole. For instance, the proportion
of Black African young people in London is about 1%. Even in Boroughs
with large Black African communities, such as Hackney, Southwark,
Lambeth and Newham the proportion is nothing like the 40% of young
murder victims indicated by the figures above.
7. In any of the public services, such a statistic would
rightly be taken as evidence of racism. And yet, for the murder
of Black African teenagers, the word "racism" is rarely
used—unless the perpetrator is known to be white.
8. I can find no official statistics relating to the
ethnic origin of those responsible for the murders. Such figures
would be incomplete because some of the murderers have not yet
been caught. Inevitably this makes conclusions difficult, but
it cannot be coincidental that the perpetrators of some murders,
and the suspects for others, include a disproportionately large
number of black youths.
9. Some of the murdered teenagers were, undoubtedly,
innocents who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Equally
certainly, other victims were murdered as a result of disputes
between gangs. Membership of such rival gangs is related to post
codes and, inevitably, that means that a large number of the members
of any one gang will be of a similar ethnic origin.
10. The term "black-on-black" seems to be used
to describe such crimes. To a layperson such as I, this seems
to be a euphemism for what would be called "racism"
if the perpetrator had been white. That euphemism is a serious
error, because it hides one of the fundamental causes of knife
crime—namely racism.
11. It is disturbing that, in 2008, many members of white
communities seriously believe that all people with a darker skin
than their own are "black" and, therefore, belong to
a single ethnic community. On the other hand, many members of
black communities seriously believe that the definition of racism
only involves actions of white people against black people. Both
viewpoints are wrong. Both viewpoints involve covert racism. Both
viewpoints avoid any sort of useful debate. Both viewpoints need
to be seriously and publicly challenged.
12. Surely it is a truism that racism is just as likely
between members of different black groups, as it is between any
other groups. But, in UK we have lacked the courage to even mention
that fact, far less to initiate a debate. If we are not willing
to even vocalise one of the most fundamental issues underlying
knife crime in London, then we will never have an open and honest
debate on this issue, and we shall never tackle it effectively.
13. What conclusions might be drawn from these statistics?
(a) Black African teenagers are disproportionately highly
represented in the list of murder victims in London in 2007 and
2008.
(b) A fact such as this would, in other circumstances in Britain,
be described as evidence of racism. In the context of teenage
murders in London it is not. One possible conclusion is that the
suspected murderers are themselves black—but possibly/probably/certainly
of different black ethnic groups.
(c) If this is indeed the case, then we need to be courageous
enough to tackle it, because if we are not serious about asking
the right questions, however painful they may be, then we shall
never find the right answers.
C. The incidence of knife crime amongst young people in
UK is perceived to be far greater than in almost any other country
in Europe
14. This statement is based upon perception, experience
and anecdote, rather than hard evidence. The most recent figures
available (1992) are from WHO and are of no relevance to the current
problem of knife and gun crime in London.
15. It appears that no other country in the European
Union is experiencing a spate of murders amongst its teenagers
similar to that seen in UK. However, the situation is changing
constantly, and up-to-date figures may tell a different story.
I know, following a conversation with the Home Secretary, that
such figures exist: unfortunately, they do not appear to be available
to the public.
16. The alarming figures for knife crime are, however,
symptomatic of a deeper malaise. What is not in doubt is the number
of international surveys that indicate that the level of child
well-being in UK is at a significantly lower level than other
countries in Western Europe and elsewhere.
For instance, a recent UNICEF Report (2007) Child Poverty
in Perspective: An overview of child well-being in rich countries,
suggested that, in terms of children's happiness and well-being,
the UK was 21st out of 21 affluent countries.
Other recent reports suggest that there is (a) more bullying
amongst school children in UK than in most other countries, and
(b) that young people in UK are generally ruder, more aggressive
and less well-disciplined than their contemporaries in almost
any other country.
Another report, this time from the IPPR (2006) "Freedom's
Orphans: raising youth in a changing world" indicated
that adults in Britain seem reluctant to tackle the issues, for
instance, the authors state that:
"... compared to adults in other countries, adults in
Britain are less likely to intervene in youth violence and antisocial
behaviour and are more likely to blame young people for their
behaviour".
17. These comments compare UK very unfavourably with
other countries. Doubtless, those other countries are by no means
perfect in the ways that they bring up their young people, but
they seem a great deal less imperfect than UK. At the very least,
we should be asking ourselves some harsh questions instead, of
being in denial.
What is it that people in other countries are doing to enable
their young people to grow-up in a calmer and, apparently, happier
environment, without resorting to violence? Is the truth that,
in Britain, we neither know nor care? If that really is true then
we should not be surprised if a growing number of our young people
become tangled in the web of violence.
18. Researchers from York University's Social Policy
Research Unit conducted a survey, in order to address the findings
of the UNICEF (2007) report. In their report "A comparison
of Polices designed to Enhance Child well-being", the
authors (Cusworth, L and Bradshaw, J) (December 2007) summarised
their findings from the child-rearing policies of six countries
who were near the top of the UNICEF league table. They commented
that, in Anglophone countries ...
"... children tend to be `seen and not heard', considered
a disruption to adult life, even a threat. This is reflected in
the welcome we give children in, for example, hotels and restaurants,
on public transport, even in cities, towns and neighbourhoods".
19. What conclusions might we draw from this?
(a) The context of life for young people in UK and thus, presumably,
London, seems to be less satisfying than that in other similar
countries.
(b) What evidence there is seems to suggest that other countries
do not experience the level of youth violence that we have in
UK.
(c) We should be honest enough to ask ourselves whether an
apparent greater level of happiness in children may be related
to a greater level of violence.
D. In order to tackle knife crime effectively, we need
to change the pervasive culture of violence in UK: merely applying
draconian sanctions to those who carry knives, or use them as
weapons, is not enough
20. What do we believe about sanctions? In the last 30
years, governments have made significant changes to ways in which
discipline can be exercised in UK. The reasoning behind the political
action was that self-discipline is far more effective than externally-imposed
discipline. That viewpoint was reasonable, but the practical implications
of such a major change of culture were ill-conceived, and the
procedures for its implementation were catastrophic for young
people.
21. Ironically, senior politicians from the parties that
demanded the wholesale changes in sanctions over the last 30 years
are now resorting to soundbites demanding tough punishments for
those who carry knives. It seems that the argument about self-discipline
is no longer appropriate.
22. Of course we are all serious about the need to tackle
knife crime in UK—but before we can do that we need to have
some idea of its causes—and we don't. We may suggest that
it is something to do with family breakdown, or a lack of discipline,
or inadequate opportunities for young people, or a multicultural
society, or the Human Rights Act, or an absence of good role models
for young people.
23. But surely, if the cause of the increase in knife
murders in London is one, or some, or all of the above, then it
is self-evident that longer prison sentences for those who carry
or use knives will not cure the problem. If any of the above have
contributed to the increase in violence amongst young people then
we need to recognise that it is today's adults who have provided
the context in which society's inadequacies have developed. We
cannot blame young people for the prolonged complacency and misplaced
priorities on the part of adults over the last 30 years. But we
still do.
24. The question "Why is knife crime happening?"
will raise answers that we do not want to hear, suggest solutions
with uncomfortable implications, and be unpopular, because they
will imply that we have got things wrong. Hitherto, we have lacked
the courage to ask the questions, far less to address the answers.
E. The Future—developing the right strategy
25. The serious rise in knife crime in London and
other large cities, is significantly greater than in most other
parts of the country. Perhaps it would be more accurate to suggest
that the situation in most urban areas in UK in 2008 is no worse
that it was in London 30 years ago. There are no grounds for complacency
in that statement.
26. Who must be involved in finding a solution to
the epidemic of knife crime? Most of us. Not just those who live
in London.
This problem was caused, at least in part, by decision-makers
thinking that they knew best. Twenty years ago, they were warned
of increasing violence on the streets. Those warnings were ignored.
For too long there has been no listening, no joined-up thinking
and thus, no effective action.
The cynical view is that the problem was not bad enough
20 years ago. It is only now, when we face the appalling reality
of 50 teenage bodies on cold mortuary slabs in London that there
is an incentive to do something.
The solution that we find this time round needs to make
a difference to the lives of young people in London, and it also
needs to be capable of being rolled-out into other parts of the
country as necessary.
Who can help us to find the answers? There are plenty
of experts available. That list includes the professionals such
as police, probation officers, the judiciary, hospital staff,
academics and clergy, and elected representatives.
But the list should also include:
(a) those who tackle the problem with young people on the
streets, they are literally at the sharp end;
(b) those who live in the desolate and soulless estates
where crime flourishes, and who have to find strategies to survive;
(c) the young people themselves—including the disaffected,
disillusioned, disenfranchised and discarded youth of Britain.
Some of them will be inarticulate, bitter, hostile and difficult
to approach, and yet they must be heard if we are serious about
finding a solution; and
(d) those from other countries who seem to manage the difficulties
of adolescence so much more effectively and compassionately than
we do.
27. What will an effective solution look like?
(a) IT will be a "WE must" solution—not
a "YOU must" solution and definitely not a "THEY
must" solution. Nothing useful will be achieved merely by
mandating action.
(b) It will involve elements of:
28. There are no quick-fix solutions to the complacency
of a previous generation of decision-makers. The strategies that
are needed will include:
(a) Preventative methods for changing the culture that
has allowed violence to continue unabated on our streets.
Younger children need to feel involved, encouraged and
excited by their world. That may be a statement of the obvious,
and yet it is rarely a reality for many of the young children
in the most deprived parts of UK.
In order to achieve this, adults need to:
— provide educational programmes in school that
encourage positive approaches to conflict resolution;
— give opportunities for young people to take
part in stimulating and celebratory activities in and out of school—traditional
as well as innovative (sports, music, drama, adventure, cadet
activities);
— develop incentives for charismatic sports (and
other) personalities to be forceful and positive role-models to
young people;
— encourage all sections of our society, including
the media, to celebrate the many positive achievements of young
people, rather than to gloat over their failures, and indulge
in eternal criticism when they are not perfect;
— decide whether we really are satisfied with
the message that our addiction to violent entertainment gives
to our young people.
Of course we need tough sanctions for those who use knives.
We also need a series of progressively stronger sanctions for
those who carry knives and other offensive weapons. Clearly structured
schemes work well. I know, because I have introduced them with
some success in tough schools in London. Why do they work? Because
they because they are based on the principle that young people
know where they stand. That is something that we have not yet
managed to achieve in UK in the 21st century.
We can get results that will make a lasting difference.
Indeed, we must.
Knife crime is a symptom. Let's tackle its causes instead
of providing macho soundbites. Then, and only then, will we have
a chance of making our streets safer for our young people.
December 2008
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