Beckham joins battle against knife crime

by Paul Conneally | August 19, 2008 at 12:33 am

1268 views | 47 Recommendations | 21 comments

David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand the English soccer superstars joined the fight against the wave of knife crime spreading across the UK. It's good to see stars like these speaking out but more fundamental changes to the way society brings up, educates and treats its children will have to occur before real change happens. The searching and surveillance of young people does not hit the mark with regards to these crimes as the vast majority of young people are not perpetrators of such crime - such actions can be counter-productive in that they increase fear of violent crime and so see more people carrying weapons for 'self-defence'. More kids playing sport and involved in other activities would perhaps be a better option and money might be better spent on these types of schemes and other community initiatives.

Police have searched 55,000 people for knives in a three-month crackdown on stabbings, the Home Secretary said yesterday during a press conference with England footballers.

Jacqui Smith, speaking after two more teenagers died of knife wounds at the weekend, said more than 2,500 people were arrested and 1,600 knives seized.

She was joined by David Beckham, David James and Rio Ferdinand as they backed the Government's "it doesn't need to happen" campaign aimed at warning teenagers about knife crime.

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Dave Keating

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 01:02 on August 19th, 2008

LotusFlower, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Sanjay Jha

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 01:52 on August 19th, 2008

LotusFlower, I like this story. It's good stuff. Hope Becham is able to convince the people to keep away from knife.

Beaulieu

at 02:08 on August 19th, 2008

Yes, it is rife in Olympic Site territory.

mchawk

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 02:56 on August 19th, 2008

LotusFlower, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Uwe Paschen

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 04:07 on August 19th, 2008

LotusFlower, I like this story. It's good stuff.

ChrisLeon

at 07:26 on August 19th, 2008

A shot that just worked out. David Beckham during pre-game warm-ups at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC. On June 29, 2008 D.C. United defeated L.A. Galaxy 4 to 1. (Photo by Chris Leon)

ChrisLeon has contributed a photo to this story.

Alphagold1

at 07:35 on August 19th, 2008

David Beckham on Jun 29, 2008 at RFK stadium. Photo by G. Guevara

Alphagold1 has contributed a photo to this story.

John Clifton

at 07:45 on August 19th, 2008

Rio Ferdinand pictured after the game at Blackburn. Photo by John Clifton.

John Clifton has contributed a photo to this story.

Joe D (not verified)

at 08:08 on August 19th, 2008

Yup, and after they outlaw knives they'll start carrying screwdrivers and so on. Laws do not transform people -

Emzy_Rick

at 08:38 on August 19th, 2008

This shot was taken at the ole solskjaer testemonial game , hope fully Rio being of colour can help infuence some of the youth here in the UK , knife crime amongst black youth is at epidemic proportions never before seen in this country , The many incidents of the injured and dead seem to be getting younger too . it seems to be gang related in many instances but often many people just being in the wrong place at the wrong time , or standing up for themselves , who knows when sense will prevail . rick

Emzy_Rick has contributed a photo to this story.

tunis marsh

at 11:04 on August 19th, 2008

This photo of David Beckham was taken in Los Angeles in June 2008. His celebrity status will certainly help raise awareness for his causes here in the US as well as the UK.

tunis marsh has contributed a photo to this story.

Amber Q

at 12:38 on August 19th, 2008

Beckham LA Galaxy Vs San Jose Earthquakes

Amber Q has contributed a photo to this story.

luckyme015

at 20:30 on August 19th, 2008

The picture was taken during the Pan-Pacific Championship at Aloha Stadium, Hawaii on 2/23/08.

liamssoft

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 13:08 on August 20th, 2008

LotusFlower, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Amy Judd

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 13:12 on August 20th, 2008

LotusFlower, I like this story. It's good stuff.

I agree with your intro.

Sharon Terry Fletcher

at 15:04 on August 20th, 2008

I took this shot while attending the LA Galaxy vs. NJ/NY Red Bulls Game this summer at Giants Stadium. The game ended in a tie.

Sharon Terry Fletcher has contributed a photo to this story.

allen.f

at 09:53 on August 21st, 2008

THIS PHOTO IS THE FIRST GAME AT THE WORLD CUP 2006 IN GERMANY. MY LITTLE GIRL (INFRONT OF RIO) WAS CHOSEN TO BE ENGLAND MASCOT BY SIR GEOFF HURST WHEN HE HEARD ABOUT HOW BRAVE SHE IS . GEORGIA SUFFERS FROM A CHRONIC BOWEL DISORDER AND SPENDS A HUGE AMOUNT OF HER LIFE IN HOSPITAL .THE TEAM ESPECIALLY RIO AND DAVID BECKHAM WERE AMAZING AND A CREDIT TO OUR COUNTRY . I HOPE THEY SUCCEED IN TRYING TO STOP KNIFE CRIME .

allen.f has contributed a photo to this story.

khalldog

at 18:45 on August 23rd, 2008

Beckham at The Home Depot Center in May 2008 getting ready to take on the Kansas City Wizards. He later scored from 60+ yards late in the game.

khalldog has contributed a photo to this story.

CINTHIA GUINZOUO (not verified)

at 15:55 on February 18th, 2009

Dear sir,

I am CINTHIA GUINZOUO from Walthamstow .

I am working on youth knife crime project, KIDS AND TEEN TALENT.

Can you help me to get in touch with RIO FERDINAND .

Thank you

CINTHIA GUINZOUO (not verified)

at 16:01 on February 18th, 2009

CAN YOU HELP ME REMOVE MY MESSAGE THERE PLEASE I DON'T KNOW IT WILL BE EXPOSE LIKE THIS .THE MESSAGE IS ADDRESS TO YOU ,NOT FOR THE PUBLIC. THANK YOU.