Ian Austin MP: We need stronger sentences for knife criminals
Ian Austin has called for tougher sentences for knife criminals to deter people from carrying blades on the streets.
The Dudley North MP used a Parliamentary debate on knife crime to hit out at the UK’s lenient justice system under Theresa May's government, which he said was directly linked to a spike in violent crime.
He quoted an Express & Star report showing that less than one in three knife offenders were jailed over the past year, arguing that dangerous criminals were being spared jail despite committing dozens of offences.
MPs were debating a petition on knife crime submitted by a member of the public that has reached more than 105,000 signatures. It calls for a 10-year sentence for anyone found in possession of a blade and 25 years for anyone that uses one.
Addressing MPs in Westminster Hall, Mr Austin highlighted the tragic deaths of West Midlands stab victims Ryan Passey, Christina Edkins, Jaskaran Kang, James Brindley and Reagan Asbury.
He said MoJ figures showing that two-thirds of knife criminals were not sent to prison made a mockery of ministers' claims that the Government was tough on crime.
“People in Dudley are furious about the increase in knife crime," he said. "They want tougher action and more police on the streets to deal with it.
“The responsibility obviously lies with the people who go out with a knife and then use it.
"But you wouldn’t have needed a crystal ball to predict that cutting the number of police officers, closing youth centres, sports projects, and other organisations that keep young people off the streets, and sending fewer people to prison... would mean that crime, and tragically violent crime would increase.”
Mr Austin cited recent media reports about one dangerous offender who was convicted 21 times for possession of a knife without being sent to prison, while another criminal committed 33 assaults before being jailed.
“How can it be the case that criminals are being spared jail despite committing dozens of offences?" the MP said.
“I think someone like that should be in prison, and I think, frankly, there should be strong sentences for this sort of thing, and there should be strong deterrents.
“When people do use knives and behave violently, I think society needs to send out a strong message that it is completely unacceptable.
“What people want to see are more police on the streets, and tougher sentences with proper punishments to prevent people from going out with a knife in the first place.”
In response, Prisons Minister Rory Stewart said the UK had one of the highest incarceration rates in the world, adding: "We have to be a bit cautious with this idea that we are soft on justice in this country.”
Under current guidelines, courts can jail criminals caught with a knife for a second time for a minimum of six months, although they can decide against imposing such sentences.
In response to the petition the MoJ highlighted its Serious Violence Strategy in combatting knife crime, as well as new legislation aimed at curbing the sale of blades.
It added: "When sentencing, the courts consider the full circumstances of the offence and offender and must follow any relevant sentencing guidelines produced by the independent Sentencing Council.
"The guidelines are clear that for any offence the use of weapon will be treated as an aggravating factor meriting an increased sentence."
Mr Austin has requested a meeting with Mr Stewart to discuss the case of Ryan Passey, who died from a knife wound after an argument broke out in a Stourbridge nightclub in August 2017.
