We are witnessing a surge that would become a trend in the years to come. Why? UK, a nation that is looked upon as an icon by most of the developing as well as under- developed countries so whatever happens in this nation has to happen in other countries too, just like a virus that spreads ceaselessly. That is why this nation is often referred to as trend setter, be it movies, music or fashion, they create a kind of cult that continues for long.
But wait, what is the new trend which they are cultivating, is it a kind of evolution, from fists to knives then from knives to guns...whats next, is it bomb?
The graph of gun crime figures is showing an upward trend in Britain, if we take into consideration this year alone, we find, eight children have been killed after being shot, with Kamilah Peniston, 12, in Manchester the youngest before Rhys Jones’s death in Liverpool this week. The other six victims, all teenagers, died in shootings in London.
Leader of the Labour Party in Britain is having a tough time in combating anti-social behavior. After two teens were taken into custody on suspicion of killing of an eleven year old boy in Liverpool, he voiced out stringent laws to curb the mounting menace.
Gordon Brown articulated that severe actions would be taken against the perpetrators who nourish gang violence involving guns, knives and illegal drinking.
In order to weed out the rising problem, Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary in a meeting with the Prime Minister, has come with a memorandum- the anti- social behavior contract- which requires voluntary signing by thousands of families and they have tagged it as acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs).
Police in collaboration with local authorities would look into the proper functioning of the written pledges to meet the required code of conduct. A single indenture would last for six months and would acknowledge whether, an individual’s behavior is causing a negative impact on a community or not and how much time the person is devoting towards constructive activities, which includes attending schools.
Mike Goodwin, the Association of Chief Police Officers’ lead member on anti-social behaviour, is quite hopeful, says he,
Police, working together with local authority and youth justice partners have found that, in many cases where ABCs have been issued, offending will stop without recourse to legal remedies. This is great news for local people whose lives are blighted by anti-social or inconsiderate behavior.
Conservative leader David Cameron recommended that young offenders must be punished by barring them from obtaining or holding a driving license.
Before pronouncing any judgment to the kids, has anybody ever thought why all this is actually taking place, agreed, till some extent, prevailing atmosphere is compelling their young and impressionable minds to do the outrageous deeds but the question is how do these children procure the arms and ammunitions?
Survey by the scholars of Portsmouth University criminologists has revealed how cheap and accessible these firearms have become with a sawn-off shotgun available for as little as £50. Now who is to blame for all this? Is it still the kids?
