Gordon Brown has called for under-18s caught carrying knives to be prosecuted in the wake of a series of attacks.
Gordon Brown has called for under-18s caught carrying knives to be prosecuted in the wake of a series of attacks.
Ahead of a meeting with police chiefs at Downing Street, he said carrying knives was "unacceptable" and pledged extra stop and search powers.
Ahead of a meeting with police chiefs at Downing Street, he said carrying knives was "unacceptable" and pledged extra stop and search powers.
Current police guidance in England and Wales is to prosecute adults caught with a knife, but caution under-18s.
Current police guidance in England and Wales is to prosecute adults caught with a knife, but caution under-18s.
On Monday Arsema Dawit, 15, was stabbed to death, the 16th teenager to die after an attack in London this year.
On Monday Arsema Dawit, 15, was stabbed to death, the 16th teenager to die after an attack in London this year.
Mr Brown will meet representatives from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Director of Public Prosecutions at an early morning meeting in Downing Street on Thursday.
Mr Brown will meet representatives from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Director of Public Prosecutions at an early morning meeting in Downing Street on Thursday.
'Feel safe'
'Feel safe'
MPs are also set to hold a special 90-minute Commons debate on the issue.
MPs are also set to hold a special 90-minute Commons debate on the issue.
Currently the "presumption of prosecution" only applies to those aged over 18. Younger teenagers caught with a knife are often not charged or just receive a caution.
Currently the "presumption of prosecution" only applies to those aged over 18. Younger teenagers caught with a knife are often not charged or just receive a caution.
Mr Brown said all MPs will agree with ACPO proposals that the presumption to prosecute those carrying knives should be extended to 16-year-olds.
Mr Brown said all MPs will agree with ACPO proposals that the presumption to prosecute those carrying knives should be extended to 16-year-olds.
We need to send out a signal to those who carry knives for no good reason, that they can expect the police service to its best to get them before a court Ken JonesAssociation of Chief Police Officers
We need to send out a signal to those who carry knives for no good reason, that they can expect the police service to do its best to get them before a court Ken JonesAssociation of Chief Police Officers
"Every parent will want their teenage sons and daughters not only to be safe, but feel safe in our neighbourhoods," he said.
"Every parent will want their teenage sons and daughters not only to be safe, but feel safe in our neighbourhoods," he said.
"That's why knives are unacceptable and we've got to do everything in our power to deter them.
"That's why knives are unacceptable and we've got to do everything in our power to deter them.
"That's why the average sentence for carrying a knife is rising and that's why there are three times as many people in prison for possession of knives.
"That's why the average sentence for carrying a knife is rising and that's why there are three times as many people in prison for possession of knives.
"That's why also we are using the powers of stop and search. That's why arches and metal detectors are being used.
"That's why also we are using the powers of stop and search. That's why arches and metal detectors are being used.
"That's why we need visible policing to back up our safer schools policy, support for parents in their communities and the education programme we are carrying out."
"That's why we need visible policing to back up our safer schools policy, support for parents in their communities and the education programme we are carrying out."
'Worrying trend'
'Worrying trend'
Metropolitan Police figures show that the number of victims of knife crime have gone down. In the year to March 2008, there were 10,220 such crimes, compared to 12,124 for the previous year - a reduction of 15.7%.
Metropolitan Police figures show that the number of victims of knife crime have gone down. In the year to March 2008, there were 10,220 such crimes, compared to 12,124 for the previous year - a reduction of 15.7%.
But the number of knife victims aged between 11 and 18 increased by 4.5% between April and July 2005 and in the same period in 2006.
But the number of knife victims aged between 11 and 18 increased by 4.5% between April and July 2005 and in the same period in 2006.
Last year 27 teenagers in London met violent deaths, compared with 17 in 2006 and 15 in 2005.
Last year 27 teenagers in London met violent deaths, compared with 17 in 2006 and 15 in 2005.
If the answer was to lock up more young people then we would have solved the problem years ago David ChaytorRainer youth charity
If the answer was to lock up more young people then we would have solved the problem years ago David ChaytorRainer youth charity
ACPO President Ken Jones said a "worrying trend" had emerged with more serious knife attacks and younger teenagers involved in attacks.
ACPO President Ken Jones said a "worrying trend" had emerged with more serious knife attacks and younger teenagers involved in attacks.
But he said convictions for knife possession had increased "year on year" and those under-18 could "face the possibility of prosecution" for carrying a knife if "aggravating factors" are present.
But he said convictions for knife possession had increased "year on year" and those under-18 could "face the possibility of prosecution" for carrying a knife if "aggravating factors" are present.
He said ACPO and the Crown Prosecution Service had been in the process of drawing up new guidance for police forces and would discuss the proposals further with the prime minister on Thursday.
He said ACPO and the Crown Prosecution Service had been in the process of drawing up new guidance for police forces and would discuss the proposals further with the prime minister on Thursday.
He added: "We need to send out a signal to those who carry knives for no good reason, that they can expect the police service to do its best to get them before a court."
He added: "We need to send out a signal to those who carry knives for no good reason, that they can expect the police service to do its best to get them before a court."
But David Chaytor, of the youth charity Rainer, told the BBC: "If the answer was to lock up more young people, then we would have solved the problem years ago - we have already tripled the number of young people prosecuted for carrying a knife."
But David Chaytor, of the youth charity Rainer, told the BBC: "If the answer was to lock up more young people, then we would have solved the problem years ago - we have already tripled the number of young people prosecuted for carrying a knife."
Mr Brown also sent his condolences to the families of those who had suffered as a result of knife crime in recent weeks.
Mr Brown also sent his condolences to the families of those who had suffered as a result of knife crime in recent weeks.
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Have you been affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments.
