Showing posts with label zero tolerance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label zero tolerance. Show all posts

Wednesday, 9 September 2020

What Happened To Being Tough On Knife Crime?

Carl Clarke attempted to enter Brooklyn Mixer in Seel Street with a blade in his jacket, but was searched by door staff.
When the weapon was spotted, he left and ditched it in a car park, then returned and was let in, only to be arrested by police.
The 26-year-old denied possessing a bladed article and was due to stand trial last December, but instead went on the run.

As you do...

At his trial, Clarke was set to deny possessing a bladed article on the grounds his knife was shorter than the minimum required for the offence.
This month prosecutors accepted his guilty plea to the alternative charge of possessing an offensive weapon, which covers shorter knives, and breach of bail.

Looking at his record - yes, of course he has a record! - it's amazing he was granted bail: 

Clarke, of Beechtree Road, Wavertree, has four convictions for three offences, including affray and breach of bail in 2015, when he was jailed for 13 months.

*sighs* 

Judge Stuart Driver, QC, said: "The aggravating features are the circumstances in which you had the knife, attempting to get into a club in the early hours of the morning in Liverpool city centre, knowing that this would be premises with lots of young people in, many of whom would have been drinking and that's clearly a volatile situation.
"The second aggravating feature is your record, not a long record, but in the past you have served imprisonment for violence.
"In mitigation there has been a substantial delay, though you contributed to that yourself by being at large."

So...how is that 'mitigation', you bewigged idiot!?

Judge Driver handed Clarke eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months, a 10-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, Thinking Skills Programme and 70 hours of unpaid work.
He warned: "It's highly likely if I see you again, you will go into custody for eight months."

It's highly likely you'll see him again. Hopefully, it'll be in a dark alley one night. 

Monday, 26 November 2018

What Took You So Long?

One incredulous rider raises his hands in indignation after he is sent clattering to the ground, and another told police: 'I took my helmet off so I thought you'd stop chasing me.'
Such has been the inevitable reaction to the police going 'softly softly' with young street thugs for fear of criticism or complaints of racism that they are now totally indignant when the police suddenly reverse their approach.

Stop me doing as I please? How VERY DARE THEY!
Scotland Yard chiefs have now vowed to get tough with the gangs as they attempt to take back control of the streets.
They don't seem to have left it too late. Just.
Police say from January to October last year there were 19,455 such offences across London but from January to October this year the numbers had dropped to 12,419 offences.
And in the same period last year there were 12,192 moped thefts across London compared to January 2018 to October 2018 when there were 8,261 offences - a reduction of 32 per cent.
Commander Pearson added: 'We are not complacent and we will continue to work tirelessly across London to maintain this downward trend.'
The question remains, though: why were you complacent before? And I'm not the only one asking this:



I fully expect this policy to be reversed the minute some dusky youth with an unpronounceable name breaks a bone or two. And our hopeless Met Police Commissioner faces the inevitable criticism from the left wing bleeding hearts.

But let's enjoy it while it lasts.