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February 2019 – knife crime

On Monday, 4th February, the Sylvans debated the motion: ‘this House believes that youth stabbings should mainly be treated as a health issue.’

It was proposed by Elaine McLean and opposed by James Partridge.

The House heard from a number of impassioned speakers with first-hand experience of knife crime, or who have lived in fear of the same.  This included a number of audience members currently in school, a wonderful set of perspectives to add to the debate.  Several of the stories related made for shocking listening, particularly given the increasing incidence and level of harm.  The proposer framed some of the antecedents of knife crime, and the opposer attacked the basis of the motion itself, arguing that conflating public health with crime would lead to confusion in dealing with the issue.  

A number of speakers drew parallels between the rise of knife crime and the outbreak of health epidemics.  The example of Glasgow’s programme to address this issue via public health solutions, with apparent success, was also discussed.  A chorus of the floor speakers deplored the impact on the country’s youth, a general sentiment which drove the overall result.

The final vote saw the motion carried.

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