Is knife crime really increasing in London?

The argument posed by many critics of the media, is that the publisization of the "growing epidemic" of knife crime hasn't only just arisen, but has always been there, the media just hasn't focused on it as much as they are currently doing so. This has brought about the creation of the violent "teen gang" perpetraitors stereotype; directly associated with knife crime, and has also brought about the Moral Panic among the civilians of society today. Tabloids, in particular promote this moral panic, with not only their articles but their choice of imagery. For example, the mug shots of teens "have you seen this person" linked in with the article of the "crime committed" gives the target audience a sense of the image of the criminals. Although, to take this argument even further, it could be argued by critics that the tabloids carefully choose what they ant published and what they wish to disclose from the public; an example being if both a stabbing happened domestically, and a stabbing happened between youths on the same day, its likely that they would report on the stabbing between the youths rather than the domestic incident, due to the predicted public reaction. According to discussions within parliament, men are to be advised to carry an alarm with them at all times; as it is believed that they are the primary targets of knife crime. Many people that have heard this proposition believe it may bring a sense of ridicule within society, and based on the male macho stereotype; it is likely there will be a high refusal rate to carry the alarm. On the contrary, men in particular all the way through history, have carried knives on them, and its only now its a "growing epidemic" . In the 1950's it was part of the culture for young males to carry flick knives, although there wasn't a great outcry for knife crime and the possession of knives then. This is a clear portrayal of the media choosing how and when they report on certain topics to create a moral panic, and get the public believing exactly what they want to believe. The real question is, why is knife crime being reported frequently in todays society, rather than previously in history? Also, another theory that could come of this publisisation and stereotyping of young teens, is that they may feel they have to live up to the stereotype imprinted on them, and feel driven to carrying and committing knife crime, which most definately give the media more to talk about. An article in relation to this is, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/7502180.stm which is reported by the BBC, with the posed question "Is knife crime really increasing in London?"

Differentiation in the representation of Knife crime within different types of newspapers. How i propose to get the producers of the newspapers ideas.

Representation of the growing epidemic of knife crime within London; within newspapers, has been portrayed in several different ways depending on the type of newspaper it is. Based on my research, i have primarily focused on tabloids such as The Sun and it is evident that their representation of news is presented in a biased, exaggerated and generally negative way to create moral panic and keep the readers engaged in their views on the situation, therefore influencing their opinions based on stereotypes, and resulting in the increase of sales of their paper. Although once doing this, i decided to look at other newspapers such as my local paper; the Ilford Recorder, and it was clear that their presentation of the same information that was also publicized in The Sun, was much more factual, to the point, easy to understand and far less exaggerated. Both newspapers target audience are working-class individuals, and it is believed; stereotypically speaking, that they are much more easily influenced by what is presented in front of them, of that from a upper-middle class background; who are generally readers of broadsheet newspapers; which are factual but consist of a much more advanced vocabulary, which may put off working-class people, therefore they are prime targets for moral panic; due to the type of newspapers targeted at them. But in contrast to this, newspapers such as The Recorder make attempts to present news without encouraging moral panic. I have now decided to take my research further and contact both The Sun and The Ilford Recorder, and see if their responses to my query differ in the same way the newspapers do. I propose to structure a letter and it will consist of me asking about the papers views on knife crime, do they think the way their paper represents the information about knife crime influences the readers based on their views, or do they feel that their paper represents the crime the way it is, with justification of their choice; although i fully aware they may not be honest and may use the same techniques they use whilst writing their articles. I also want to include the topic of influencing factors of what knife crime is presented in their newspaper; for example knife crime within domestic violence isn't really seen in the media although it clearly does happen. Also i wish to ask if race is a determining factor of what is publicized and how it is reported on; as it is a big topic of debate, and i wish to see how they view this. Finally, the topic of stereotypes around knife crime shall be raised, and i wish to find out about how they feel about the stereotype of teens and knives, and if their response supports the stereotype.

Once i have structured my letter; i intend to send the same letter to both newspapers, i shall post it on the blog, so you can see what i say...... Feedback is welcome =]!

"Disarming"

Channel Four are going to launch a gun and knife crime season, starting on Monday 30 June 2008 in attempts to raise awareness and help fight the growing epidemic. Channel 4 takes an unflinching look at the increasing use of violence and weapons by young people on the nation's streets.
Facing up to some uncomfortable truths about gun and knife crime, the season explores the effect of this disturbing trend on offenders, victims and society at large.

The season involves:
Dead Ends
A 3D game produced exclusively for the Disarming Britain season. You can play on both sides of the law as Keith Wilcox, a new gang recruit caught in a deadly situation he can't handle, or as Detective Jameson, an officer investigating a gang killing that's turning up nothing but dead ends.

Fallout
A feature-length, gripping drama, adapted by award-winning playwright Roy Williams from his acclaimed stage play. Fallout is a passionate and powerful reflection on race and law and order in the wake of the murders of Stephen Lawrence and Damilola Taylor.
Actor and writer Lennie James, who will star in Fallout, has written an open letter to knife carriers.

Dispatches
Helen Newlove is the widow of Garry Newlove, who was kicked to death outside his home in Cheshire. This film follows her search to find answers to problem of youth crime in the UK and abroad. As she meets police officers, politicians and young offenders, will it change her view that young people are now offered too much protection at the expense of the rest of society?

Kids, Knives & Broken Lives
Hear the personal testimonies of teenagers from across the UK as Channel 4 explores what led these young men and women to arm themselves. How have they become so comfortable with casual violence? Looking for answers, the film asks those who carry weapons, and those who fear them, what they think the solutions might be.

Eye 4 An Eye
AJ Nakasila is a 17-year-old from the East End of London. He has made six short films about gangland revenge and how it affects the everyday lives of the friends who make up his close inner circle.

The trailer..... although it does seem primarily focused on gun crime rather than knife crime.

Murdered teen- too close to home?

A solicitors interpretation and opinion on the representation of knife crime within the media

This solicitor talks about her encounters with youths in particular and having to deal with their cases; and how the stereotypes and representation of teens within the media affects the defendant. She mentions in particular that the tabloids are to blame for this; along with the government.

http://www.solicitorsjournal.com/story.asp?sectioncode=3&storycode=12600&c=3&eclipse_action=getsession