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| Deaths up during anti-knife drive | Deaths up during anti-knife drive |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| The number of knife deaths in areas targeted by an anti-knife crime scheme has risen, the Home Office has said. | |
| The government's Tackling Knives Action Programme was launched last July by 10 police forces in England and Wales. | The government's Tackling Knives Action Programme was launched last July by 10 police forces in England and Wales. |
| 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. | 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%, but the number of deaths among teenagers remains unchanged. | Overall knife-related violence fell by 10%, but the number of deaths among teenagers remains unchanged. |
| 'Crime hotspots' | 'Crime hotspots' |
| The Home Office-led programme, known as T-Kap, was triggered by a series of high-profile teenage stabbings. | The Home Office-led programme, known as T-Kap, was triggered by a series of high-profile teenage stabbings. |
| Police have stepped up searches and patrols in knife crime hotspots and are running courses to highlight the dangers of carrying the weapons. | Police have stepped up searches and patrols in knife crime hotspots and are running courses to highlight the dangers of carrying the weapons. |
| The families of some of those killed were invited to 10 Downing Street on Monday for a knife crime summit hosted by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Home Secretary Alan Johnson. | The families of some of those killed were invited to 10 Downing Street on Monday for a knife crime summit hosted by Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Home Secretary Alan Johnson. |
| Meanwhile, a second phase of the scheme, focusing on all forms of serious violence among 13 to 24-year-olds, will now be rolled out. About £5m will be made available to the 10 original forces and six others. | Meanwhile, a second phase of the scheme, focusing on all forms of serious violence among 13 to 24-year-olds, will now be rolled out. About £5m will be made available to the 10 original forces and six others. |
| This is not a problem we can solve overnight but we remain totally committed to tackling youth violence Home Secretary Alan Johnson | This is not a problem we can solve overnight but we remain totally committed to tackling youth violence Home Secretary Alan Johnson |
| Chief Constable Keith Bristow said "public angst" over knife crime was understandable, but added that there were some "promising signs" in the reduction of killings among youngsters. | Chief Constable Keith Bristow said "public angst" over knife crime was understandable, but added that there were some "promising signs" in the reduction of killings among youngsters. |
| He said: "It's a mixed picture in the sense that in some places there have been some increases but overall it's going in the right direction. | He said: "It's a mixed picture in the sense that in some places there have been some increases but overall it's going in the right direction. |
| "This is a long journey. Success when you're dealing with these sort of problems might be measured in generations, not weeks or months." | "This is a long journey. Success when you're dealing with these sort of problems might be measured in generations, not weeks or months." |
| Despite a rise in stop and search measures in all 10 police force areas, the number of offenders aged 19 and under possessing an offensive weapon fell 13%, the figures also showed. | Despite a rise in stop and search measures in all 10 police force areas, the number of offenders aged 19 and under possessing an offensive weapon fell 13%, the figures also showed. |
| Robberies with sharp instruments against those aged 19 and under also fell by 13% while knife-related hospital admissions fell 32%, compared to 18% in non T-Kap areas. | Robberies with sharp instruments against those aged 19 and under also fell by 13% while knife-related hospital admissions fell 32%, compared to 18% in non T-Kap areas. |
| The families of knife crime victims met the prime minister on Monday | The families of knife crime victims met the prime minister on Monday |
| Meanwhile, the length of court sentences increased for people caught in possession of knives or offensive weapons in England and Wales. However, a significant number are still being cautioned. | Meanwhile, the length of court sentences increased for people caught in possession of knives or offensive weapons in England and Wales. However, a significant number are still being cautioned. |
| Mr Johnson said: "This is not a problem we can solve overnight but we remain totally committed to tackling youth violence. | Mr Johnson said: "This is not a problem we can solve overnight but we remain totally committed to tackling youth violence. |
| He added: "By working together - government, police, families and communities - we can make a difference and tackle the culture that can lead to violence." | He added: "By working together - government, police, families and communities - we can make a difference and tackle the culture that can lead to violence." |
| Justice Secretary Jack Straw said: "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 said: "We have introduced tougher penalties and have made it clear that anyone aged 16 or over should be prosecuted at their first offence. |
| "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." | "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." |
| BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said: "The T-Kap initiative was set up after a series of fatal stabbings and a rise in knife crime in urban areas, particularly in London. | BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said: "The T-Kap initiative was set up after a series of fatal stabbings and a rise in knife crime in urban areas, particularly in London. |
| "Police stepped up searches and patrols in crime hotspots and ran courses to highlight the dangers of carrying knives. The results are mixed." | "Police stepped up searches and patrols in crime hotspots and ran courses to highlight the dangers of carrying knives. The results are mixed." |