Andre Yoskowitz
5 Jul 2008 14:37
Noel Gallagher, songwriter and guitarist for the popular band Oasis is making headlines with his comments suggesting that videogames are partially to blame for the explosion in knife crimes that have occurred in London over the course of the year. So far, 18 teenagers have died in knife related attacks.
"People say it's through violent video games and I guess that's got something to do with it," he said, "If kids are sitting up all night smoking super skunk [cannabis] and they come so desensitised to crime because they're playing these videogames, it's really, really scary."
The knife crimes have been big news in the UK over the last couple of months and celebrities have called upon the government to find a solution.
"In my day, status was trying to be somebody, do you know what I mean, not trying to kill somebody? I was up in Liverpool for a week a couple of weeks ago and even on the news there it's every single night.
"I don't even know what Cameron or Gordon Brown are going to do about it," he added.
In March, the government looked into the impact of violence in videogames on children and released a list of recommendations that included letting the BBFC have a bigger role in game ratings. Publishers have complained however saying that last provision could make games "more expensive or face delays in being released."