Eamonn Fitzgerald's Rainy Day

Father and son photographed leaving Wembley Stadium last Saturday after Ebbsfleet United had defeated Torquay United in the FA Trophy Final. One could say that the football tradition is in safe hands upon seeing a beautiful sight like this, and it is a beautiful sight because it suggests caring and sharing — the essentials of civilized behaviour.

But what's this got to do with Boris Johnson, our focus this week? Well, more than 100 people have been stabbed this year in London. So far, 33 have died, with the youngest victim, 14-year-old Amro Elbadawi, killed in West Kilburn in March. He didn't get to see a game in Wembley Stadium. Ken Livingstone's response to the outbreak of knife crime was to accuse the media of sensationalising the problem, but it will reflect well on Boris if he's seen to face reality and back the police in their campaign to end this savagery. It doesn't stop there, however. He has to give unflinching support to those concerned citizens who want to challenge the anti-social behaviour that was allowed to flourish during Red Ken's malign rule. London today partly resembles New York before Mayor Rudy Giuliani ended a decade of rampant crime. With a similar policy of zero tolerance, Boris can make parents and children feel secure in their city again.