IN the old days when a sharp sheath knife was an essential part of a Boy Scout’s uniform, knife assaults were relatively rare.

The criminal’s weapon of choice was the razor.

Glasgow gangs fought pitched battles using open ‘cut-throats’ while the police waited offstage to arrest the wounded who were treated on the spot by first year medical students. Gashes were stitched without anaesthetic using rough cord to produce authentic ‘hard man’ scars.

In England racecourse gangs enforced their protection rackets using blades sewn into the peaks of their caps until they were smashed by an alliance of chief constables.

Mobile units were formed of extra tough policemen who used extra violent tactics and were backed up by co-operative judges.

Most razor injuries were cosmetic rather than potentially lethal as no one fancied being sentenced by a judge wearing a black cap.

A V Martin,

Wigginton, York