Only creative and bold solutions can curb knife crime

THE dreadful sword attack that ended the life of 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin in London this week has highlighted once again the menace of Britain’s growing knife crime problem and the impunity with which blades are being used on our streets.

The incident, which left four other people hospitalised, was not typical of the weekly bloodletting our towns and cities endure. The majority of knife crime victims are teenagers and young men, senselessly killing one another over drugs and gang violence or petty grievances.

CCTV footage showed the alleged attacker marching around Hainault wielding a giant sword with impunity, before being tackled to the ground by police.

For those of us who could stomach watching it, it was like a scene from a horror film. Unfortunately, a quick Google search reveals dozens of similar knives, machetes and swords available for online purchase and delivery for as little as £48.

And so the story goes: Buy a knife online. Choose the day. And unleash hell on to a public that’s already terrified they or their loved ones could be the next victims.

MAYBE this week’s random stabbings will finally make our chattering classes –loath to take the issue seriously, given their chances of falling victim are generally low – take this more seriously.

But I won’t hold my breath.