Stamp out knife crime
Tyson Fury spoke from the heart when he demanded tougher action on knife crime after his cousin was killed.
He joined the growing number of families whose lives have been blighted by violence.
The number of recorded knife crime offences has almost doubled from 25,000 in 2013 to 49,000 in the last year.
Fury’s call to give tougher penalties for carrying a dangerous weapon will have widespread backing but it is only part of the answer to tackling the violent scourge.
The Mirror is also campaigning for greater police powers, more investment in youth services and the appointment of a knife crime tsar. We also need more police on our streets.
Despite Boris Johnson’s promise to increase numbers, there are still 8,000 fewer officers than when the Tories came to power in 2010.
These cuts have taken place amid a hike in demand for drugs that has fuelled knife crime.
This should be a priority for the Home Secretary. Unless No10 gets a grip there will be more victims and more grieving families.
Ill-advised idea
A treasury plan for GPs to write prescriptions for money off energy bills is a stupid Conservative gimmick.
Doctors neither have the time nor the expertise to judge if someone is in dire need.
Nor is it clear how this scheme would work alongside the existing benefits system.
We need our overworked doctors to help clear the backlog in the NHS. Turning them into part-time debt counsellors will only make
that task more difficult.
This autumn millions of households face being thrown into poverty because of soaring heating costs. To prevent this looming disaster we need a comprehensive and workable plan.
Best bar none
The Americans actor Matthew Rhys is backing a campaign to rescue a pub in his home country of Wales.
With luck his support will save the day and the locals can enjoy a Hollywood ending.
