Knife Crime Cut, But Deaths Up In Anti-Knife Drive

Latest figures released today have found that knife-related violence against under-20s has been cut by 17%, but the number of deaths among teenagers remains unchanged.

The Home Office-led report, called 'Tackling Knives Action Programme' (TKAP), started last July in 10 police areas across England and Wales.

During the launch of the programme's second phase, the police minister David Hanson said the initiative would be expanded to include all forms of serious violence among a wider group. About £5m will be made available to the 10 original forces and six others - the plan includes a £2m advertising campaign, and a £220,000 budget to allow hospitals to share data about knife injuries admitted to accident and emergency departments.

The multi-million pound scheme is aimed at tackling knife violence among young people. It has reduced hospital admissions and offences, the Government today said.

In its first nine months, 126 people died after being attacked with a knife or other sharp object - seven more than in the same period the previous year.

Overall knife-related violence fell by 10%, however, the number of deaths among teenagers has remained unchanged.

The figures also showed the number of offenders aged 19 and under possessing an offensive weapon fell 13% - this was despite an increase in stop and search measures in all 10 police force areas.

But in three areas the number of violent offences using a knife increased, including by 42 per cent in Thames Valley and 37 per cent in Nottinghamshire.

Meanwhile, robberies with sharp instruments against those aged 19 and under also fell by 13%. According to provisional figures knife-related hospital admissions fell 32%, compared with 18% in non-TKAP areas.

NHS hospital admission statistics indicated a 32% drop in admissions for assault with a sharp weapon for the same age group. There was a smaller reduction for regions outside the pilot figure.

Alan Johnson, the Home Secretary, said: "It is encouraging to see a reduction in knife-related violence and in provisional hospital admission numbers for sharp instrument assaults in the last year.

"This is not a problem we can solve overnight but we remain totally committed to tackling youth violence... By working together - Government, police, families and communities - we can make a difference and tackle the culture that can lead to violence."

"We have introduced tougher penalties and have made it clear that anyone aged 16 or over should be prosecuted at their first offence," Justice Secretary Jack Straw added.

"This tough stance is already having a positive impact - latest figures show that more people are going to jail, and for longer, when caught carrying a knife."

TKAP was launched in the Metropolitan, Essex, Lancashire, West Yorkshire, Merseyside, West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Nottinghamshire, South Wales and Thames Valley police areas.

(JM/BMcc)