‘Get rid of cash, get rid of crime’
RESIDENT’S RADICAL IDEA TO ‘SAVE A LOT OF YOUNG LIVES’
A HAYES resident has a radical idea to “save a lot of young lives” and tackle the seemingly endless wave of violent crime on London’s streets.
Brian Gee believes we may all have to accept a change to our daily lives to tackle the tragic problem and wants to start a conversation about bold solutions.
He says getting rid of cash could have “breathtaking benefits” – and a big effect on the numbers of stabbings and shootings in the capital.
The 72-year-old wrote to the Gazette after reading our website getwestlondon’s recent round up of 14 frightening stabbing and shooting incidents in west London.
Several of the crimes took place in Hayes where Mr Gee lives.
He explained why, in his opinion, cash fuels criminal violence.
Mr Gee wrote: “The general consensus is that the vast majority of shootings and stabbings are directly, or indirectly, caused by drug dealing.
“Drug dealing is totally dependant upon the availability of cash.
“If we abolished cash then drug dealing would cease in this country along with ALL OTHER CRIME where cash is the incentive.”
Mr Gee’s ambitions do not stop with stamping out drug crime by moving to a world without cash.
He went on: “It would also therefore directly impact the number of shootings and stabbings by ending gun running and the sale of guns, as well as provide traceability in the sale of knives.”
Many of us are already used to using contactless cards for most purchases we make on a day to day basis.
Mr Gee thinks getting rid of cash is a genuine possibility in the near future.
He added: “Abolishing cash is no longer a pipe dream.
“Most citizens are using the technology now and have no desire to use cash.
“Cash is needed to hide financial transactions from the police or HMRC.
“Of course some changes would be needed, but these are relatively minor compared to the breathtaking benefits this policy would bring about.
“Apart from savings in policing and the criminal justice system generally, the increase in revenue to the exchequer could end the crisis in the NHS and genuinely end austerity.
“All this without raising taxes or government borrowing.”
While those who still like to carry physical cash might be resistant to the change, Mr Gee thinks we should look at the big picture.
He said: “It is inevitable that cash will be abolished in the UK at some point in the future; so let’s do it now and save a lot of young lives.
“Singapore will be abolishing cash in the near future. India has abolished notes of a high value. Considering that we are one of the most financially mature nations we should at least be talking about it.”
Police confirmed they were investigating a murder following a man’s death from stab wounds suffered in Hackney on Saturday morning.
Late on Friday (November 23) there were two other stabbings in London.
In Southall another man in his 20s was taken to hospital, while in Ilford a British Transport Police officer was left bleeding – according to reports from witnesses – after he was attacked with a knife.