Tories U-Turn On Knife Crime

Prior to the election the Tories promised an automatic jail sentence for knife crime.
David Cameron then said there must be a “Presumption to Prison” for all knife offenders including youths found simply carrying a weapon and the Tory manifesto pledged: “We will make it clear that anyone convicted of a knife crime can expect to face a prison sentence”.
In a major U-turn, Justice Secretary Ken Clarke has ruled out mandatory prison terms for all offenders convicted of knife crimes.
Mr. Clarke said he wants to send fewer people to jail.
Under the last Tory government, crime doubled.
Under Labour, more serious and persistent offenders were sent to jail – for longer – and crime fell.