Footballers join battle against knife crime

By Ben Russell, Political Correspondent

Tuesday 19 August 2008

Print
A A A
Latest in Crime
Corrupt police chief Ali Dizaei jailed again
Murdoch hit by threat of new legal fight in US
Rapist Leslie Cunliffe faces deportation to UK
Abu Qatada to be banned from doing school run
British businessman Christopher Tappin's extradition appeal rejected
Fugitive found on Facebook
Rapist to hear deportation ruling
Leveson: What we've learnt so far
Eight arrests as Murdoch 'throws staff to the wolves'
Eight held in corruption probe
News in pictures
News in pictures
On Facebook
From the blogs

Roy Hodgson for England: A club of one

To argue against Harry Redknapp for England is akin to arguing in favour of bankers bonuses. While s...

Time for a reality check on the Sri Lankan civil war

Sri Lanka, much like Britain, has side-lined accountability long enough.

Children Of Alcoholics week: One million children may just be the tip of the iceberg

Children Of Alcoholics week starts today. So, what are the aims for Nacoa during this important week...

Review of Being Human: ‘Being Human 1955’

Following on from an episode tinged with tragedy, this week lifted the mood with something lighter.

Suggested Topics

Police have searched 55,000 people for knives in a three-month crackdown on stabbings, the Home Secretary said yesterday during a press conference with England footballers.

Jacqui Smith, speaking after two more teenagers died of knife wounds at the weekend, said more than 2,500 people were arrested and 1,600 knives seized.

She was joined by David Beckham, David James and Rio Ferdinand as they backed the Government's "it doesn't need to happen" campaign aimed at warning teenagers about knife crime.

Beckham revealed that when he was a teenager the brother of one of his closest friends was stabbed in the back and paralysed while trying to stop a fight.

Ferdinand, who went to the same school in south-east London as Stephen Lawrence, said his murder in 1993 had a profound impact on him. "I will never forget the day the headmaster brought the school to a halt and said Stephen was killed the night before," he said.

Comments

SPONSORED FEATURES

Free trial of new Independent iPad app

Get your daily dose of the best of British journalism, sponsored by American Airlines

Atlantic Canada Posh Nosh Prizes & offers
Business videos

Win a three-week coastal jaunt

Spend three weeks exploring every nook and cranny of gorgeous Atlantic Canada.

iPad app Posh Nosh Prizes & offers
Business videos

Amazing restaurant offers

Three glasses of free champagne and a special menu at 46 top London restaurants.

iPad app Atlantic Canada Prizes & offers
Business videos

Latest Independent competitions

Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.

iPad app Atlantic Canada Posh Nosh
Business videos

Commercial thought leaders

Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.

iPad app Atlantic Canada Posh Nosh
Prizes & offers

Day In a Page

Picture preview: Lucian Freud drawings

Lucian Freud drawings

Picture preview
Silent revolution at the Baftas as the French take top awards

Silent revolution at the Baftas

The Artist wins in seven categories, with Meryl Streep the other big success story
Whitney Houston: The diva who had – and lost – it all

The diva who had – and lost – it all

Nick Hasted charts the highs and lows of Whitney Houston's life
How Picasso won over (some of) the British

How Picasso won over (some of) the British

Winston Churchill and Evelyn Waugh hated his work, but Picasso provided inspiration for a whole generation of UK artists
Topshop: A Decade Of Design

Topshop: A Decade Of Design

When London Fashion Week starts on Friday, Topshop will celebrate 10 years backing its brightest young stars
John Prescott: 'My wife thought I'd just retire, but I'm not a slippers man'

'My wife thought I'd just retire, but I'm not a slippers man'

At 73, John Prescott isn't mellowing. In fact he's taking a shot at becoming a police commissioner
Jim Gamble: We are losing the race to protect our young

Jim Gamble: We are losing the race to protect our young

Technology and the children who use it won't wait for slow-moving child-protection services and police to catch up
Sarah Sands: A friend is not the one you turn to, but the person who turns to you

Sarah Sands on friendship

A friend is not the one you turn to, but the person who turns to you
Andy Burnham: 'It's a genie out of the bottle moment'

Andy Burnham interview

'It's a genie out of the bottle moment'
Leveson: What we've learnt so far

Leveson: What we've learnt so far

Ingenious hacks, shifty editors and attacks of Sudden Memory Loss Syndrome – Matthew Bell assesses the state of play at the Royal Courts of Justice
Modern lovers: The 'sexual body warriors' and pioneers transforming 21st-century relationships

Modern lovers: The 'sexual body warriors'

Sarah Morrison meets the people redefining love in the 21st century.
'I was angry, so angry': How heartbreak, betrayal and Su Pollard helped Estelle find pop success

Estelle: 'I was angry, so angry'

The singer talks about heartache, betrayal and bouncing back.
Choc tactics: Bill Granger's Valentine's recipes for chocoholics

Bill Granger's Valentine's recipes for chocoholics

Should it be white, milk or plain? Can you make a melt-in-the-mouth pudding without using any?
Male, pale & stale: Could more women on the board help Mothercare – and other ailing firms?

Male, pale & stale

Could more women on the board help Mothercare – and other ailing firms?
Upstairs, downstairs, 2012-style

Upstairs, downstairs, 2012-style

There are now more domestic workers in Britain than in Edwardian times