• TO increase the number of prison cells and extend stop-and-search will appeal to Brexit racism and may in the short-term be necessary.

But it does not address the knife crime problem which is a psychological feeling of power combined with inadequacy and boredom.

Very high density housing is now being built all over London – even backing straight onto railways – with absolutely no facilities for youth clubs, gyms or study centres.

The history of this attitude goes back 20 years or so when a Labour councillor ran a successful campaign to ban music posters in Camden Town, to “tidy up Camden”.

Horrible rough paint was applied to all lamp-posts and street furniture and posters banned. Thus a whole, very successful, music art culture was wiped out overnight from the Camden area.

Nothing was given to replace it. No workshops no gyms, no trips to farms. Nothing. No wonder there came a fascination with knives.

NICHOLAS WOOD
Cove Farm
Cockburnspath, Berwickshire