Games turn kids into killers...

...Or never let the facts get in the way of the chance to hang blame on someone.

Despite the paranoia of the tabloids, the chances of getting shot, stabbed or even blown up when popping down the shops, is still very small. The UK remains a relatively safe place to live. For example, the number or deaths due to stabbing has remained relatively constant for the last ten years.

However, that must be small comfort to the family of Kodjo Yenga as they grieve for their son. And it is natural for the “general public” (whoever they are) to be shocked by such stories and also to wish for someone to come up with both an explanation and an answer.

But no one is helped by apportioning blame where it doesn’t lie or by suggesting quick fix solutions that won’t work.

Radio Four’s “Mr News”, John Humphreys, conducted an interview (listen) this morning, with an expert on knife crime. What made him an expert was of course never really explained – he had “written” on the subject, we were told.

And as you would expect, he trotted out the usual material. These youths carry knives because – they are concerned for their safety or there is nothing for them to do or they live in deprived areas or poor parenting or… well, you get the idea.

However, our John had other ideas; it’s down to violent video games, says he. And surely we can do something about them! What he means, of course, is ban them.

Now, OK, if a half hour on Battlefield 2142 or Counterstike could be shown to cause kids to pick up their Scar 11 or AK47s and hit the streets, perhaps there is a debate to be had over this. Mind you, then we would also have to ban The Sims – good grief, all that woohoo going on!!!

But what Mr Humphreys conveniently forgets to mention (as did his expert guest) is that there is no clear evidence of any such link. On top of that, do we know if the group now charged with the crime even have a computer or games consol let alone whether they are “obsessed” with games, violent or not? Of course we don’t but that won’t worry the BBC. If it turns out that copies of the games that work him into such a frenzy are found at these kids’ houses, you can bet John will report it. On the other hand if it turns out that they pass the time reading Jane Austin and playing the violin, will he withdraw his accusation.

If this rubbish were being spouted in a pub, it wouldn’t matter, but this is being broadcast to millions of people – repeatedly. Say it enough times and of course people believe it.

Of course, politicians are no better.

Witness David (call me Dave) Cameron’s wacky idea to force absent fathers to live with their children and ex-partners. As if that will foster good parenting!

Despite its (thankfully) rarity, such crime is so shocking that we need to look at whether we can do anything to make it even less common.

But, for heavens sake, let us have a proper debate on the subject. Let us find out if there is anything we can do.

I guess the problem is that if we did so, the answers won’t be so conveniently simple and those who the real blame lies with might not be a nice convenient group such as gamers or even absent fathers.

God forbid that any responsibility might lie with successive governments or even the media!!

gamers games knives politicians bbc crime