Urgent plan needed to tackle knife-culture says Longford-Westmeath TD
Sinn Féin's Sorca Clarke has called for an urgent and proactive strategy to prevent knife culture ‘taking hold’
An urgent and proactive strategy is needed to prevent knife-culture taking hold according to a Longford-Westmeath TD
Sinn Féin's Sorca Clarke said in recent weeks we 'have seen the deadly consequences of knife crime'.
"It is clear that we now must work together to deliver an urgent and proactive strategy to prevent a culture of knife carrying from taking hold.
“We have seen internationally how states that fail to address this issue head-on face inter-generational implications.
“Across the board there needs to be a greater focus on crime prevention as well as action to reduce the rates of re-offending which are unacceptably high."
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Deputy Clarke said an 'intervention to prevent young people from becoming involved in criminality and anti-social behaviour' is absolutely key.
“Right now, too many young people are becoming involved in crime and too many are reoffending.
"Years of underinvestment in communities, in youth facilities, in tackling deprivation and in youth diversion have had a detrimental impact, as has the failure to properly resource addiction and mental health services.
“It is clear that greater efforts are needed in crime prevention, including measures to stop young people from being drawn into criminal activity. "
Deputy Clarke stressed this is particularly important in dealing with the carrying of knives.
"That requires investment in communities as well as significant increases in supports for youth diversion services.
"There also needs to be an increase in the number of community Gardaí who play a vital role in building relationships with communities and preventing young people becoming involved in crime and anti-social behaviour.
"The fact that there are fewer community Gardaí now than when Fine Gael entered government in 2021 is a scandal.
“A culture of carrying knives cannot be allowed to take hold.
"Along with targeted policing, early intervention with young people most at risk of getting drawn into such a culture is crucial and has been found to be effective elsewhere.
Deputy Clarke stated ensuring that a 'culture of knife carrying doesn’t take hold' needs to involve early intervention focused on schools, youth outreach, mentoring and family support.
"It needs to involve identifying at-risk individuals and addressing root causes as well as poverty, trauma and social exclusion.
“But there also needs to be a robust policing response to knife carrying and knife crime.
"Statistical analysis of knife crimes must guide this response.
"Those found recklessly carrying dangerous knives must be dealt with speedily and effectively in the knowledge that an increase in knife carrying inevitably leads to an increase in knife assaults and, ultimately, to the serious injury and deaths of victims.
"A robust law enforcement response must involve ensuring we have enough Gardaí to ensure high visibility policing, not just in Dublin city centre but in other parts of Dublin and in towns and rural communities across the state.