Caine calls for national service

National service should be reintroduced to give young people "a sense of belonging rather than a sense of violence", Sir Michael Caine has said.

The actor, 76, who served in the Korean War and did two years of national service, said he was "very anti-war".

"I'm just saying put them in the army for six months," he said in London at the European premiere of Harry Brown.

In the film, Sir Michael plays a vigilante intent on revenge against young thugs who killed his friend.

The movie, set in a London council estate beset by problems with drugs and gun crime, was "almost documentary", he said.

"There should be a great plan to re-educate these youngsters.

"It's such a waste - they all feel society has let them down."

The film's director, Daniel Barber, who spent time with police officers ahead of filming, said: "It's unbelievable the amount of violence out there that doesn't get reported.

"What they have to deal with is something else. This film is the tip of the iceberg."

Stars including boxer David Haye, actress Gemma Arterton and members of Spandau Ballet were at the screening of Harry Brown, which had its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September.

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