No wonder some kids feel they don't have a chance.
Isadora, London,

They live in a society with free education, a benefits system that ensures they have a roof over their head, food on the table.

They have every chance under the sun. Crime with all this support is 100% a choice; not a consequence.

Laura Roberts, London, United Kingdom

" ..nobody forces people to commit crime, it is a life choice!" Totally agree Stuart. BUT.. we have vast numbers of self serving middle class people who buy up all the houses around the decent schools, pay for tutors etc. to get their kids ahead. No wonder some kids feel they don't have a chance.

Isadora, London,

Lord Chief Justice Taylor made the point years ago that what deters criminals is not the severity of punishment but the probability of being caught. Therefore, if we are to deter criminals, we must enhance the probability of catching them first and foremost.

Miland Joshi, Birmingham, UK

Gang member don't care about going to prison after all there life is already a mess because they have no qualifications cant get a Job so they turn to crime to make money so they can live and once another member from a different faction see that person making money they envy and attack which causes

dantes james, peckham, england

the gang wars on London's streets so the government needs to see that once a young person fails to obtain qualifications they are made to fill as if they can not make it in life there has to be more encouragement towards failing students as well as more activities from the schools and colleges.

dantes james, peckham, england

I sympathize with you Brits, however you have it wrong. The US has more of its citizens in jail than basically any other 'civilized' country and some states have 3 strike laws. Fear of prison doesn't prevent crimes when irrational decisions are made under the influence of drugs.

James, Minneapolis, USA

We keep trying to treat the symptoms rather than do something about the cause. If more young people had more to do and better prospects there would be less attraction in gangs.

If you don't build large housing estates you don't create the environment for large gangs either.

Alan, Verwood, UK

The punishment has to fit the crime
I think sentences are far too lenient.
Life should mean Life with no remission for so called good behaviour.
If someone is given a 10 Year sentence then it should be 10 Years.
The current system is a joke although no laughing matter.

Stephen Holmes, Withington, UK

Brilliant. It's my contention that the Judiciary has caused this, among other problems with their weak sentencing. This helps to ease the problem.

Mark, Staines,

Illegal guns are being smuggled into the UK along with the illegal drugs. If the minister is serious in going something about this, then she should start reading the research that has been submitted to the Home Office over the last twelve years by independant experts.

Stuart Andrews, Colchester, UK