Girlfriend gets letter from PM
09 November 2006
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| Frank Empson was killed in March this year |
THE girlfriend of murdered Harlow teenager Frank Empson has received a letter from Tony Blair.
Emily had written to the Prime Minister telling him about Frank's death and explaining that she did not think current knife crime laws were tough enough.
In his reply, Mr Blair passed on his condolences over Frank's death at what he described as a "terrible time for you and Frank's family".
He told Emily he agreed that knife crime needed to be dealt with more strongly and explained the new measures to be implemented this month to increase sentences for carrying and using knives.
"I want you to know that I share your views about the need for tougher action over knife crime and we have been drawing up new measures which will be announced next month," Mr Blair wrote. "They include doubling the maximum sentence for possession of a knife without good reason.
"We already toughened the sentences for murder and made it possible for those who pose a continued and serious risk to the public to be held in prison indefinitely, no matter what sentence is passed.
"We have more to do but we are, I promise, working hard to put that right. None of this will bring your boyfriend back, but I hope it does show we are determined to crack down harder on knife crime so others won't suffer as you are."
Mr Blair also told girlfriend Emily that he had passed on her letter to the Home Office, and said he would make sure he saw a copy of the reply she gets. He also explained why he could not comment further on Frank's case.
"I hope you understand that no Prime Minister or minister can comment on individual cases particularly if, as I suspect may be the situation, the legal process is not yet finished," he wrote.
"This is not, I assure you, because of any lack of concern but because of the strict rules about the independence of our legal system. Anything I said which could be seen to prejudice an investigation or trial just might make justice for Frank much harder which, I am sure, is the last thing you would want."
Speaking exclusively to the Herald after receiving the letter, Emily said: "As for the law changing, I'm glad that something is being done. It's about time that someone put a stop to all these crimes taking place.
"Unless we have good sentencing terms then people will continue to carry out these awful attacks. Maybe if these laws were put into practise earlier then other knife crimes may have
been reduced as people would think twice about carrying and using knifes.
"I feel it is important that people are aware of knife crimes, and more should be done to reinforce the outcomes that these attacks have on families and friends of the victims.
"I just hope that we can make a difference so that other people do not have to suffer, and those who do carry out these crimes get put away. Although it does not bring people's loved ones back, knowing that those who carried out crime get the right sentence can help us to move on, and know that they have not won but we have."
Since Frank was stabbed to death in March this year, Emily has continued Frank's Last Wish campaign. Before his death he was working towards raising the £13,000 needed to send his father Steve Empson to Holland for stem cell treatment for his multiples sclerosis. Through a variety of fund-raising events, the money was raised and Mr Empson underwent the treatment.
Emily has also set up a petition aiming to introduce longer sentences for possessing a blade, in order to decrease knife crime. The petition can be found at the website www.gopetition.com/ online/9802.html
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