'Ban knife sales to under-18s'

The Government today announced plans to ban the sale of knives to under-18s.

The move is among tough new measures being considered to tackle growing knife crime among teenagers. Proposals under consideration include:

Home Secretary David Blunkett said: "The Government is seriously considering strengthening the law to help get knives off our streets. Bringing in a ban on under-18s buying knives - as at present with alcohol and fireworks - will play a key part." Latest figures show that a third of the victims of knife crime are between 10 and 17. AMori survey for the Youth Justice Board found 29 per cent of secondary school children admitted carrying a knife.

In London, one in six muggings now involves a knife. A knife crime is committed every 25 minutes, with four in five offenders aged between 12 and 20. The Met recently launched Operation Blunt in a bid to reduce knife crime.