Noel Gallagher calls for action on knife crime
Saturday, 05 Jul 2008 16:46
Noel Gallagher wants action on knife crime
Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher has urged for more action on spiralling knife crime among Britain's youth.
Some 18 teenagers have died as a result of stabbings in London alone this year, with 16-year-old Shakilus Townsend the latest victim of the apparent epidemic.
And while collecting a prize at the Silver Clef music therapy awards in London, Gallagher voiced his own thoughts on the problem.
He commented: "In my day, status was trying to be somebody, do you know what I mean, not trying to kill somebody?"
The Mancunian stressed that knife crime was not just a problem in the capital, explaining: "I was up in Liverpool for a week a couple of weeks ago and even on the news there it's every single night."
He went on: "I don't even know what Cameron or Gordon Brown are going to do about it. I was watching a documentary on Panorama and another one about kids carrying knives and violence.
"One of the lads, a little lad, made a telling comment.
"The guy said, 'Do you not think there's anything better for you in life?'
"And he said, 'Yeah, there probably is but I've never known anything else'."
Gallagher, 41, said he agreed with theories that the increasing strength of 'skunk' cannabis and the ease with which youngsters can buy violent video games as contributing to the problem.
The Brit-winner also addressed the response to his comments about Jay-Z headlining the Glastonbury Festival after the New York rapper's triumphant set last week.
He said: "The broadsheets get hold of it and have me going down Hyde Park Corner blasting and slamming.
"For the record, I Iike Jay-Z. That's my opinion.
"If it offends people, don't ask me anymore questions.
"I should do these things and answer like every two-bit pop star."