Fatal teen stabbing in London

A 17yr old boy has died after being stabbed. The incident happened in Beckton, London on Friday evening last week. 3 other teens have been arrested.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/London-Stabbing-Three-Teenagers-In-East-London-Are-Arrested-After-Incident-In-Beckton/Article/201002315554612

Press coverage of sexualisation of children report

Lots of news coverage of the Home Office report into the sexualisation of children.

Many are leading with the calls made in the report for lads mags to be moved to the top shelf. Overall, journalists have welcomed the report findings:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1252361/Government-advisor-Dr-Linda-Papadopoulos-Airbrushed-mags-come-warning-symbols.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/feb/25/lads-magazines-restricted-home-office-study

David Cameron has spoken out on the issue:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/cameron-condemns-inappropriate-sexualisation-of-children-1903287.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/cameron-condemns-inappropriate-sexualisation-of-children-1903287.html

Sexualisation of children report criticised

An interesting article in the Telegraph has criticised the Home Office's report into the sexualisation of children.

Toby Young has picked through Dr Linda's report, and references the BCS throughout. Young particularly takes offence to the Cosmopolitan article, where Dr Linda outlines her recommendations to combat the issue - however it is important to realise here that the audience for the magazine, and the huge reach it offers, are of vital importance to Home Office communications.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/tobyyoung/100027572/the-home-office-report-on-child-sexualisation-is-a-100-page-cosmopolitan-article/

Minimum sentance for knife murders raised

Jack Straw has moved to increase the minimum sentance for people who kill using a knife from 15 to 25 years.

This means the sentance is just behind the sentance for gun killings, which is currently 30 years.

The move follows the high-profile Ben Kinsella Campaign; 16yr old Ben was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack and his murderers were each given life sentances (which means they could be released within 19 years).

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/feedarticle/8969893

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5hQV0SUWpMSJvJrRkvVpKGidOKiyA

Rape - gang weapon of choice

A news report today has attracted discussion across several radio shows for it's emphasis of the violence women suffer at the hands of their fellow gang members.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8530000/8530932.stm

Featuring interviews with girls in gangs, the article outlines how rape and other forms of violence are used to control girls, particularly in situations where the gangs don't want the girls to talkt to the police. Another example of how gangland has it's own laws.

Man freed after stabbing teen stepson

A 51 year old man has been aquitted after stabbing his wayward teenage stepson.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1250460/Kenneth-Blight-spared-jail-stabbing-teenage-attacker.html

Teen arrested over fatal stabbing

An 18 year old woman has been stabbed to death in Reading. A 19 year old man has been arrested.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/jan/19/teenager-murdered-reading-river-footpath

Teen partner violence campaign well-recieved

Lots of positive PR has been generated since the launch of our teen partner violence campaign:
http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2010/02/new_home_office

However, the results of the poll hosted on the directgov site reinforce the findings of the NSPCC, suggesting that we have a long way to go before we begin to bring about attitudinal changes.
http://thisisabuse.direct.gov.uk/Poll.aspx?id=1&vote=no&submit.x=24&submit.y=17

Operation Blunt outlined by Met Police

http://www.itsnotagame.org/working-together.php

Primary school pupils searched for knives

The Met Police have reported an increase in the numbers of young people of primary school age stopped and searched for knives.

Shocking figures revealed 755 10-year-olds were searched by officers in the 12 months to March 2009, compared with 420 during the previous 12 months.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8364472.stm

Teen dies in gang-related stabbing

An 18 year old has died after being stabbed in a fight in Bow. The wounds were in his thigh and abdomen.

Around 15 people were found by police fighting in the street; police believe the incident is gang-related.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8461035.stm

Young people give their opinions on knife carrying

Headliners (featured in the blog a while back) have interviewed young people, asking whether they believe that carrying a knife will make them safer.

http://www.headliners.org/storylibrary/stories/2009/Blunt_reality