A CHILD is stabbed to death in Britain every two weeks.

Bereaved families are calling for a minimum prison sentence of five years for carrying a knife - not killing with one, just carrying one - the same sentence as for carrying a gun. Doubtless millions will support them.

Let us put this into perspective.

In 2003 a child was killed on our roads every two days, not weeks! Why then is it only guns and knives that cause so much concern? Should it really matter what the instrument of death is?

Anything that is used inappropriately can result in an innocent and untimely death - not least a hand-held mobile phone when it is used from behind the wheel of a moving motor vehicle.

It is now 12 months since driving with a hand-held mobile phone was outlawed, but it is all too clear that this has made little difference. Neither will increasing the penalty to a £60 fine and three points. What will the Government do then - increase it by £10 and one point every time an innocent child is killed?

As for speed, drink and drugs - isn't it high time we drew a clear and definitive line under all the senseless - and indeed avoidable - death and heart-break?

OBSERVER