Katy Perry criticized for knife photo

LONDON, Oct. 22 (UPI) -- The father of a British stabbing victim is criticizing U.S. pop star Katy Perry for brandishing a blade in a publicity photo.

Richard Taylor has been leading an anti-knife crusade since his son Damilola was stabbed to death in London in 2000.

"This woman's behavior is unacceptable. She must be out of her mind to pose for a picture like this," The Times of London quoted Taylor as saying. "There is nothing glamorous about knives -- they wreck families. Any youngsters seeing her will think it is OK to carry a blade."

The Sun newspaper said street violence has resulted in the murders of more than 60 British teenagers so far this year with 27 young victims dying in London alone.

The Times said the photo of Perry holding a knife is believed to have been taken in 2006 and has not appeared on an album or the singer's Web site.

It was published in The Sun next to a photo of Joey Lappin -- a 16-year-old Army cadet recently stabbed to death outside a Liverpool youth club -- and under the headline "No.1 Idiot."

The move prompted Perry's fans to defend her.

"Can't stand people bashing her when they don't even have their facts straight," The Times said one supporter wrote on a message board on the singer's Web site.