The government has announced details of the next phase of the Tackling Knives Action Programme, including a specialist team to take on gang-related violence.
The programme, which was expanded in March to deal with all forms of serious violence among 13- to 24-year-olds, is operating in 16 police force areas in England and Wales. It is one of the cross-government initiatives on youth violence, alongside the Youth Crime Action Plan.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw joined Home Secretary Alan Johnson and Children's Secretary Ed Balls to discuss the programme at an event in London on ‘Young people and crime - the next steps’.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw said:
‘We are determined to do everything in our power to tackle the menace of knife crime and ensure people feel safe walking around our towns and cities. 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.
‘The message is clear that if you carry a knife, there are serious consequences and you could end up behind bars.’
Notes to editors
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Further details of the Tackling Knives Action Programme are available on the Home Office website.
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The Home Office has also published a report on the government's progress in implementing the Youth Crime Action Plan, one year after the programme was launched.
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