There were powerful reports in the Press last week about the murder of Kiyan Prince from north London. I found them very moving, even though I had never met the lad.

I cannot even begin to imagine how deeply they affected Kiyan's parents and the rest of his family and friends.

I doubt they are in any fit state to do anything rational about the larger issues surrounding his death but the rest of us are.

Of course, rigorous jail sentences for those who carry knives should be imposed, but we need to do more.

The overwhelming majority of young people are decent and reasonable and try to do the right thing.

But the dreadful murder of Kiyan will persuade a few more that being decent and reasonable does not keep you alive on the streets. Tomorrow, a few more children than last week will go to school with a kitchen knife in their bags - "just in case".

Those who are supposed to be in charge are allowing fear of violence to develop on our streets because they have no idea of the extent of that violence, nor what to do about it.

Carrying knives is still seen by many teenage boys (and some girls) as a sign of hardness - it gives them street-cred.

The fear of knife violence is far more real for most young people than anything generated by international terrorists.

Why? Because most teenagers know someone who regularly carries a knife - in school, on the streets, and perhaps even in their homes.

How do they know? Because sometimes, just occasionally, that knife comes out - just to establish who is boss.

Knives are readily available but we are not getting across a powerful-enough anti-knife message to young people.

Harsh sentences for those caught with knives are not enough. We also have to develop strategies for discouraging the carrying of knives in the first place, including, for instance, involving charismatic role-models in sport and music.

Tackling a problem when it is small is more useful than fire-fighting when it is endemic.

We tried playing it calmly, coolly and gently with drugs in the early Seventies and now the problem is out of control. Knife crime will go the same way if we do not develop a set of serious strategies.

If, as a nation, we choose to wring our hands and do nothing, before the end of the year, there will be more devastated families taking their son, brother, grandson or friend on his last journey.

We need a new initiative. Perhaps The Argus or its readers can suggest something. I and doubtless many others will do anything we can to work with you.

-Dr Stuart Newton, Peacehaven