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Islington Tribune - SPECIAL REPORT BY MARK BLUNDEN and PETER GRUNER
Published: 6 July 2007

KNIVES: WHY OUR KIDS ARE USING THEM

EXCLUSIVE insight on street crime after Martin’s death

A FORMER gang member this week highlights the violent ‘respect’ culture that leads teenagers to form small groups for protection.
In an exclusive interview, he tells how young people carry knives in the mistaken belief a blade will provide “self defence” – and may stab because another youth has “mugged them off”, street slang for a dirty look or insulting words.
The ex-prisoner, who served four years for firearms offences, speaks alongside a veteran youth worker about what can be done to stem violent teen crime.
It follows the killing of Martin Dinnegan, the 14-year-old stabbed to death in Holloway last week as other youths looked on.
And speaking from the family home in Finsbury Park, his grieving mother Lorraine pleads for teenagers to make peace and urges the Government for a “severe form of punishment” for those who carry knives.
Family and friends said there is no hint that well-behaved Martin was in a gang himself, but it is the violent youth culture on Islington’s streets of which he became a victim.
As Mrs Dinnegan says poignantly: “There has got to be a proper deterrent if we are going to feel safe.”

‘Youths feel forced to carry knives’ - A REFORMED gang member has lifted the lid on life inside Islington’s “crews” and revealed what makes young... > more

‘I know that one day I’ll see Martin again’ - THE mother of dead Islington teenager Martin Dinnegan said this week she would be prepared to help launch a... > more

Crisis talks tackle teen crime - FEARS that gang culture has taken over Islington streets were voiced this week. Just two days after the killing of Martin... > more

Teenager badly beaten by ‘mob’ - A TEENAGER was badly beaten just three days after Martin Dinnegan was killed.The 18-year-old had his knuckles... > more

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