One of the most memorable political slogans of the last generation was Tony Blair's pledge to be 'tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime'. But Labour has found it easier to honour the first part of that promise than the second. More offences are deemed worthy of jail, and sentences are longer. Prisons are full. The government points to figures showing a decline in the overall crime rate to show that its approach is working. But as an epidemic of fatal knife attacks in the capital shows, those assertions do not reflect many people's experience of insecurity walking the streets. Already, 18 teenagers have died a violent death in London this year. The government's response has been to promise a crackdown - increased police powers and tougher sentences. That might be reassuring were it not such a tired refrain. The...
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