Designer stab vests may seem an unlikely solution for the growing number of stab victims, but the notion that tougher sentencing alone will solve this sad epidemic is nonsensical. Youths carry knives for protection and to be cool. In order effectively to tackle the recent spate of knife crime we need to deal with the reasons why knives are on the streets in the first place. A youth will not give up his knife, in an amnesty or any other case, if he feels his street cred or protection are at risk. Urban stylish stab vests would negate both of these worries; a youth could put his knife down, be protected, look cool and avoid the possibility of going to jail. If any designers are up for the job, I’ll take one in navy blue. Simon Cohen, London

Knives clearly are easier to get hold of as opposed to firearms. There is a peer pressure kudos attached to some of the mindlessness of both carrying and using knives amongst the youth culture. It is possible that knife crime will increase drastically in the near future. The police service in hot spots is doing perhaps all it can with prioritising potential knife offenders. And teachers do not want powers to search, nor can one expect them to conduct searches that are potentially dangerous. However, perhaps it is time to give police officers and CSO's random power to search for knifes and edged weapons. Used professionally in violent hotspots and at schools this might be one answer to curbing knife culture. Thereafter, courts must provide tougher sentencing. Raj Joshi, Leicestershire

The only way to deter someone from taking a life is to make it clear that his own life is at risk. Change the law and make it clear that unprovoked murder will result in the attacker's own death. David Evans, Rotherham

Detectors such as used at airports, etc should be made in a mobile form. Parked in randomly selected sites with passers by being required to walk through. Those detected as carrying knives would be subject to the legal penalties. A collecting bin for discarded weapons placed a few yard before the detectors might form more of an incentive to turn in knives than a voluntary amnesty. Derek Knights, Ashford

Edward John's earlier comment - that knife crime may be linked to the influx of foreigners from societies where there is "serious disorder" - totally misses the point. I am a "foreigner" myself, and I think it is time to stop blaming everyone but the government and civil bureaucracy for the mess we are all in. Foreigners are not responsible for the British judiciary losing sight of the values that underlie punishment as a deterrent - equivalence, immediacy and negative publicity. Osei K Agyeman-Buahin, London

When will the government understand - it is not knives that are responsible for these horrendous crimes, but the criminals. There is no shortage of otherwise innocuous implements which could be used to injure or kill someone. The current focus on the tool is simply diverting focus from the real problem, which is a society where individuals consider 40p worthy motivation for ending another's life. Graham de Montrose, London

A mandatory prison sentence for carrying a knife without just cause would be a start. Unfortunately for reasons best known to themselves, the Government is unlikely to take this step. The knife amnesty is just another pathetic attempt which will "look good" on TV, will be cheap to implement but will in effect achieve absolutely nothing. Perhaps if our Cabinet Ministers had to use public transport and live in less salubrious areas, they might appreciate what the general public have to contend with. Fat chance! Jim Scott, Prestwick

The number of 'sharp instrument' killings in England and Wales has stayed more or less static in the last 10 years with the number varying between 200 and 250 per year. Obviously this is 200-250 per year too many and we should do what we can to reduce the number. At the same time, however, we shouldn't let the hysterical media terrify us into believing that there is a new surge in violent crime. It would be very sad if we end up afraid to leave our homes because the papers fill their pages with news of every tragic attack that happens in this country of 60 million people. The UK is still, in most places, a safe place to live. Stephen Grindle, London

Ban all sale of knives on the website and shops and make knife possession illegal in the UK. Anyone who wishes to purchase a knife must prove they require the use of one in their job. Punishment for possession of such weapons should be more severe and should include imprisonment as well as hefty fine. Shops and any other establishment found flaunting the law should have their licence confiscated and fined heavily. There is an urgent need for the government to get their act together to prevent such heinous crimes. I feel terribly unsafe walking in the streets not knowing when I may be an unlucky victim. Knife and gun culture in the UK must stop. Name and address withheld

The rules for carrying a blade without good cause (to be used in your work) are in place and are strict. The problem is the lack of personnel to enforce the rules. Even if this means a system of stop and search, it would be worth the inconvenience to any innocent party, if it catches the guilty. Julien Manfredi, Crewe

The murder of Tom Grant is the latest in what seems like a wave of dreadful knife attacks. But is there rising knife crime, or merely rising reporting of it? I suspect it is too lucrative a lode for the press to give it up just yet. Norman Paterson, St Andrews

It appears that carrying a knife in a public place is just as much a problem in the UK as it has been a problem here in New South Wales for years, with two murdered Constables in 1997 and 1998. Both were victims of knife attacks. Our Government introduced tough new anti-knife laws back in 1998, making it offence to carry a knife in a public place or a school. Maximum penalty was a $550 fine. However, they didn't give the New South Wales Police force the random knife search powers, which they need to enforce the new laws, so consequently they failed. The penalties were increased to a maximum of $2,200 fine, by 2004. But without any effect, as knife related crime soared throughout the state and the Police still did not receive random knife search powers they needed. Name withheld, Sydney, Australia

Until the law treats the carrying of a knife as an intent to kill a person or persons unknown we will continue to hear about the deaths of decent people. A knife amnesty? What is that? It's pathetic. A minimum term in jail with zero parole and stop and search is required. It doesn't have to be a police state. Once a few dozen decent jail sentences are blazed across the media the carrying of knives will diminish. David Thjim, Stourbridge

To David Thomas, Slough (below), you are absolutely right. The Concealed Carry Law has been extremely beneficial to the well being and safety of the general population by decreasing robberies, shootings, etc. There is an old saying: "When knives (or guns, or whatever) are outlawed, only outlaws will have them." Now if we could only outlaw politicians whose sole job is to be re-elected and vote only where the most cash is, we would really have something. Michael Hartley, Dallas, USA

People who commit serious assault or murder should never be let out of prison, life should mean life. The people who commit these crimes only understand harsh reality. The whole social background and discipline of these people is a life where nothing is taught or respected. They only respect their "mates". I think national service should be brought back to instil a sense of respect, not only for the perpetrators but for the well-being of the future of this country. You see this in other European countries and it certainly teaches young men (and women) to respect and grow more maturely. I live in East London and my partner works in Mile End, I worry for him every day, he has been attacked once, luckily it was fists only and he got help and this was for walking down the wrong side of the steps at the station. Anne Heinson, London

It doesn't help the situation when you see your local discount supermarket selling (presumably with no regulation whatsoever) strap-on razor sharp Divers' Knives for £6.99 each. There can't be that much of a market for Diving in Sherwood can there? It makes a mockery of any knife amnesty. Matthew Truman, Nottingham

Whether it’s knife crimes, drugs or other criminal or anti social behaviour I am sure that the 80:20 rule applies – namely that 80% of the offences are caused by 20% of the people. And a significant percentage of those problem children and adults will be the product of problem parents, broken homes etc. So my long term solutions would be to: do whatever is practicable to prevent youngsters becoming parents - until they can demonstrate that they are sufficiently mature, stable and independent enough to successfully raise a family. And, secondly, to invest more in good schools so that, from as early an age as possible, children are given the skills to flourish and the necessary support where this does not come from their home. Too much investment goes into to clearing up the problems. We need to invest more at an earlier stage to prevent the problems arising in the first place. Kevin Miller, Tonbridge

The reported increase in violent assaults involving the use of knives may or may not be linked to the arrival of unknown numbers of recent migrants to the UK, many coming from areas, if not where warfare is taking place, then at least where there is serious disorder. Such people may not view the carrying of and use of bladed weapons in the same way that the broad population of the UK does. Is it time to reconsider the restrictions that are placed on the police in respect of their right to stop and search for knives? Arguably, a million fruitless searches are better than one fatality where a knife has been used. Edward Johns, Lannion, France

How about longer sentences for people who kill with knives? Ideally where they only get access to TV if they agree to make videos for school children about their awful life in prison. The man who killed that student will probably be out in 10 years when he should be locked up for life. David Holland, London

It would appear to me that in many cases of murder nowadays, the perpetrator has no sense of deterrent. For him or her, killing someone carries no great threat of punishment so stabbing someone when they "disrespect" you is as easy to contemplate as slapping them or even shouting at them. Until we address this issue these unnecessary losses of life will continue. It is not enough for us to rely on someone's sense of right from wrong because clearly many people cannot differentiate between the two. It should be very clear to anyone contemplating using a knife or a gun what the consequences could be to themselves when caught and these consequences should be severe enough to make them think twice. Adrian Manship, Brussels

Simple. Mandatory 10-year sentences for carrying a knife in public. Alex McGregor, Plymouth

The problem with knives compared to guns is that they are widely used in our everyday lives. Anyone, including children, can pick up a sharp kitchen knife. Even other objects, such as fountain pens can be used to stab someone. Perhaps the problem is down to the individual committing the crime, as even without the availability of a knife, there are still many other tools at hand with which to cause such damage. Furthermore, what was a man doing on a train with a knife anyway? Mark Skelton, Sheffield

I was at school with Tom for five years. We shared the same tutor, the same house, and many of the same sets. It is so typical that he would intervene to prevent the plight of others. He was such a straight up nice guy, always thinking about others and their problems before his own. Why did this man commit a crime like this, murder, over an argument? When he had never even seen Tom before? It is so typical of England that this kind of thing happens. Why are the police not harsher on people who carry knives? If there was a clear deterrent such as a fixed prison term for people caught with knives, and Police carried out regular stop and searches, then would that not make a difference? The sad thing is, while we are taught not to embrace social stereotypes, you can fairly easily imagine what kind of life this guy lead. The Government should really address this problem. Education must be the key to avoiding future incidents. A British citizen behaving in a responsible and courageous manner should not be allowed to die like this. Freddie Stevens-Smith, Oakham

I see every week on Sunday market stalls the selling of martial arts weapons. These include different types of knives and swords. Surely these types of weapons should be banned from being sold. David Womersley, Loughborough

The problem is not "knife crime" or "gun crime" or stamping-on-people's-heads crime but violent assaults in general. Perpetrators know that in the absence of a police presence there is only a small chance of their being stopped or apprehended. This is because, beginning in the 1950s with the prohibition of the carrying of what were deemed "offensive weapons" - subsequently extended to include anything that could be used as a weapon - the law-abiding have been rendered defenceless. The criminals of course and by definition take no notice of such laws. The "Concealed Carry" laws in the USA have achieved a marked reduction in all forms of violence (rape, robbery, assault, etc). Have we nothing to learn from this? David Thomas, Slough

Knife crime will not be stopped by any form of ban on the carrying of knives. The carrying of knives can already be acted on by existing law. It is only when politicians have the courage to stop being concerned with niceties and introduce swingeing sentences that terrify perpetrators that this type of crime will decrease. Criminals must be frightened of the consequences of their actions. Pete Somerville, Waddington

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