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| Deaths up during anti-knife drive | Deaths up during anti-knife drive |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The number of knife deaths in areas targeted by an anti-knife crime scheme has risen, the Home Office has said. | 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 started last July in 10 police areas in England and Wales. | The government's Tackling Knives Action Programme started last July in 10 police areas 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. |
| The Home Office-led Tackling Knives Action Programme (TKAP) was triggered by a series of high-profile teenage stabbings. | The Home Office-led Tackling Knives Action Programme (TKAP) 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. |
| This is not a problem we can solve overnight but we remain totally committed to tackling youth violence Alan JohnsonHome Secretary | This is not a problem we can solve overnight but we remain totally committed to tackling youth violence Alan JohnsonHome Secretary |
| 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. |
| Warwickshire Chief Constable Keith Bristow, who leads TKAP, said "public angst" over knife crime was understandable but added that there were some "promising signs" in the reduction of killings among youngsters. | Warwickshire Chief Constable Keith Bristow, who leads TKAP, 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. |
| The families of knife crime victims met the prime minister on Monday | The families of knife crime victims met the prime minister on Monday |
| "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%. According to provisional figures knife-related hospital admissions fell 32%, compared with 18% in non-TKAP areas. | |
| 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. |
| FIRST 10 TKAP AREAS Metropolitan PoliceEssexLancashireWest YorkshireMerseysideWest MidlandsGreater ManchesterNottinghamshireSouth WalesThames Valley | FIRST 10 TKAP AREAS Metropolitan PoliceEssexLancashireWest YorkshireMerseysideWest MidlandsGreater ManchesterNottinghamshireSouth WalesThames Valley |
| 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." |
| TKAP was launched in the Metropolitan, Essex, Lancashire, West Yorkshire, Merseyside, West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Nottinghamshire, South Wales and Thames Valley police areas. | TKAP was launched in the Metropolitan, Essex, Lancashire, West Yorkshire, Merseyside, West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Nottinghamshire, South Wales and Thames Valley police areas. |
| Bedfordshire, Northumbria, South Yorkshire and British Transport Police were added to the initiative in November 2008, and Kent and Hampshire in March 2009. | Bedfordshire, Northumbria, South Yorkshire and British Transport Police were added to the initiative in November 2008, and Kent and Hampshire in March 2009. |
| BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said: "The TKAP 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 TKAP 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." |