More metal detectors to tackle knife crime

Police are to be given money to erect hundreds of metal-detecting "knife arches" and search wands to help tackle violent crime, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said on Sunday.

She told BBC television the move was part of a strategic plan to tackle violence she would announce on Monday.

"I want people to feel safe from knives when they go out, which is why we will be investing in additional knife arches and wands to be used by police and others where they think that is appropriate," she said.

Police across the country have already been using the metal detectors in trials at the entrance to pubs and clubs, with some forces also planning to use them at schools.

She said the Tackling Violent Action Plan would also include a campaign to warn children of the dangers of carrying knives.

"Young people need to be taught early about the dangers of knives," she said.

"I want nobody to be under any misapprehension (that) you are safer if you carry a knife."

Public concern remains high over levels of knife crime, particularly among inner-city youths.

The plans would also address alcohol-fuelled violence. The Home Office says serious violent crime accounts for just one percent of all crime, but that alcohol plays a part in half of all violent incidents.

Earlier this month, three teenagers were jailed over a drunken attack on father of three Garry Newlove outside his Cheshire home.

Smith said she wanted police and social services to work together to identify at an early age those who are likely to become violent offenders.

Last month police chiefs issue guidelines on targeting teenage criminals and diverting them away from anti-social activities.

And Smith said the government wanted to make sure that longer sentences introduced for carrying knives in public were enforced.

"We are looking at ensuring that if you are caught with a knife that the new maximum sentences we are putting in place are likely to be given and that you are likely to be prosecuted," she said.

The opposition Conservatives said the government had failed to take effective action over knife crime.

"Tinkering with targets and publicity campaigns are a drop in the ocean of the serious and sustained action required to reverse the tragic scourge of violence on our streets," said Conservative Home Affairs Spokesman David Davis.

The National Audit Office will publish on Thursday a report on how effective the Home Office has been in reducing the risk of violence.