Environment Secretary David Miliband told a news conference today that whilst he

deplored the recent increase in both knife and gun crime, it was gratifying from an

environmental point of view that there were far more stabbings than shootings.

    Mr Miliband stated that knife crime comes very low on the noise pollution scale,

being by its nature a virtually silent crime, if one discounts the initial scream of the

victim of course. Gun crime on the other hand, particularly when associated with so-

called `drive-by` slaying, with its inherent engine revving, squealing tyres and

noxious exhaust emissions, is very bad news for the environment. Mr Miliband went

on to say that guns also created a great deal of litter, with their spent cartridge shells

becoming quite an eyesore in and around our inner city streets.

   When asked if he thought such matters had any relevence given that the police

seemed powerless to stem the growing wave of killings, Mr Miliband replied that

everything possible was being done to make sure the brown field sites for the 2012

Olympic games were completely clear of any forms of toxic waste.