Sad times. I went to Monks Hill nearly 40 years ago, was an ok estate back then but as in New Addington (where my family still live) it's changed, massively for the worse. This 'disrespect' thing amongst kids is idiocy in it's thinking and causes more problems than it solves.
I'm with Stuk on this. Carry (any) knife, 5 years, use it, 10 years or more severe if it results in death.
We have to get more Police back on the streets and get away from this ridiculous state of mind regarding stop and search.

One more thing. My generation are to blame as we've been bullied by the limp wristed and do gooders into not being able to instill discipline into our children. I'm not talking about beat them up but the odd clip round the ear never ever did anyone any harm. In fact 99% of the time it gave you some respect of the person delivering your lesson. I'll bet there are some out there now who remember the moment when that respect kicked in.

Too many rude boy almost ferral kids out there and we can now do nothing about it.

Shame on this s***ty world. RIP kid.

Maybe he moved in the wrong circles but I very much doubt he deserved what happened to him. Since the kid died in such a pitiful way, without more information our first thought shouldn't be 'maybe he had it coming'.

I think you've been quite balanced here. My emphasis is on the fact that mistakes or not, he didn't deserve such a truly sad end. It's easy when young to make these mistakes or to want to join a certain crowd. To lose your life as a result is a tragedy though. I'm with you 100% on the fact that we need to use these events to press home the fact that if you move in these circles, you open yourself up to dangers that you didn't bargain on. We need to get highlight incidents like these to at least get kids to realise its not all fun and games.

Yep.
The young lad killed in south Norwood a few months ago, went to school with my cousin. Now my cousin is a bit of a "lad" but seeing someone he knew get killed, seems to have straighten him out. He has got himself a job with Network Rail working on Track maintenance. Now this isn't the best job, but it's a 100 times better than the "career path" he was heading down.
When these young lads start playing wannabe gangstas, their future is bleak, and I bet this poor fellas last moments on earth were filled with regret, and his mum must be going through hell... But if one of his mates stops carrying a blade after this, then this dark cloud has the smallest of silver linings.

5 years for carrying a knife does nothing for the problem, only ruins the lives of those who get caught without doing anything to change their situation.

Smacks of an American model where they use prison wily July and do nothing to stop the issues from arising. A lot of people involved in gangs are not bad kids, just unfortunate kids.

Not saying I have a solution, just that I think 5 years for having something you shouldn't is absolutely barmy.

I felt that I have to write this. last night a young lad of 19 yrs old was stabbed on the Monks Hill estate and later died in hospital of his wounds. I didn't know the young lad or whether he was into football or any kind of sport, that really doesn't matter, what matters is that at 19 years old he had the world to look forward. I really don't know what I'm trying to say here, I don't usually put pen to paper, so to speak, on these matters, a complete and utter waste of life,Just like so many others that have been stabbed.
I grew up and went to school on the Monks Hill estate that was a long time ago, even though I have moved away I still have connections to the area as my parents still live up there and he was stabbed not far from where my parents Live. These people that think they are big and hide behind knifes make me so angry and are total cowards in my eyes. RIP young lad.