This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7492758.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Jail knife carriers, says Cameron Jail knife carriers, says Cameron
(30 minutes later)
Anyone caught carrying a knife without a good excuse should expect to be sent to prison, David Cameron says.Anyone caught carrying a knife without a good excuse should expect to be sent to prison, David Cameron says.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has argued that anyone over 16 caught with an illegal knife should be prosecuted, rather than escaping with a caution.Prime Minister Gordon Brown has argued that anyone over 16 caught with an illegal knife should be prosecuted, rather than escaping with a caution.
But Mr Cameron says the presumption should be that anyone convicted of carrying a knife should go to prison. But Mr Cameron says the presumption should go further - so anyone convicted of carrying a knife should be jailed.
Jack Straw says ministers will review sentencing guidelines on knife crime when they come into force on 4 August.
Currently, around a third of those found with offensive weapons receive only a caution or final warning.Currently, around a third of those found with offensive weapons receive only a caution or final warning.
The Conservative leader's comments come after a number of high-profile knife murders have seen 18 young people die in London alone this year.
'No excuse''No excuse'
The Conservative leader's comments come after a number of high-profile knife murders have seen 18 young people die in London alone this year.
According to Home Office figures, 17% of people prosecuted for carrying a knife went to prison in 2006, compared with 6% in 1996. The average sentence length has increased by almost a third over the same period.According to Home Office figures, 17% of people prosecuted for carrying a knife went to prison in 2006, compared with 6% in 1996. The average sentence length has increased by almost a third over the same period.
Mr Cameron says knife crime is now a problem of "epidemic proportions" in the UK.Mr Cameron says knife crime is now a problem of "epidemic proportions" in the UK.
We're talking about mainly young people carrying knives as part of a culture. That culture has to stop David CameronConservative leaderWe're talking about mainly young people carrying knives as part of a culture. That culture has to stop David CameronConservative leader
"We have to send the strongest possible message that carrying a knife is completely unacceptable in Britain, end of subject," he told The Sun."We have to send the strongest possible message that carrying a knife is completely unacceptable in Britain, end of subject," he told The Sun.
"The government should not just say there is a presumption you will be prosecuted if you carry a knife - but that there is a presumption you will go to jail."The government should not just say there is a presumption you will be prosecuted if you carry a knife - but that there is a presumption you will go to jail.
"It is not a minor offence. There is no excuse for carrying a knife when you walk out of your door.""It is not a minor offence. There is no excuse for carrying a knife when you walk out of your door."
The Tory leader urged police to exercise "common sense" by not prosecuting people carrying penknives for angling, or for bringing home kitchen or garden equipment from the shops.The Tory leader urged police to exercise "common sense" by not prosecuting people carrying penknives for angling, or for bringing home kitchen or garden equipment from the shops.
"This is about kitchen knives stuffed down the front of tracksuits," he said."This is about kitchen knives stuffed down the front of tracksuits," he said.
"We're talking about mainly young people carrying knives as part of a culture. That culture has to stop.""We're talking about mainly young people carrying knives as part of a culture. That culture has to stop."
DebateDebate
Mr Cameron has previously prompted headlines suggesting he wanted to "hug a hoodie" when he argued there should be greater understanding for young people.Mr Cameron has previously prompted headlines suggesting he wanted to "hug a hoodie" when he argued there should be greater understanding for young people.
But he added: "When they step over the line, I'm a Tory. I believe in tough responses, in the law coming down on people like a ton of bricks."But he added: "When they step over the line, I'm a Tory. I believe in tough responses, in the law coming down on people like a ton of bricks."
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeSend us your commentsFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeSend us your comments
Mr Cameron is set to address the issue during a speech in Glasgow on "fixing our broken society".Mr Cameron is set to address the issue during a speech in Glasgow on "fixing our broken society".
He is being accompanied by ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, chairman of the Centre for Social Justice, and the Tories' Glasgow East by-election candidate, Davena Rankin.He is being accompanied by ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, chairman of the Centre for Social Justice, and the Tories' Glasgow East by-election candidate, Davena Rankin.
Meanwhile Home Office Minister Tony McNulty says he wants a debate over how much detail can be released by the NHS on knife crime. Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Mr Straw said he was talking to ministers and "awaiting representations" from them about new sentencing guidelines on knife crime which come into effect next month.
Casualty The guidelines for magistrates in England and Wales say people caught in possession of a bladed article or offensive weapon may be given a fine or community order if the weapon "isn't used to threaten or cause fear".
At the moment gunshot wounds have to be reported to police, stab wounds do not have to be reported. He said there was an "overwhelming case" for all hospitals to collect anonymous data on injuries caused by knives and other weapons.
It follows an investigation by the Independent on Sunday which suggested that almost 14,000 people a year have become victims of knife attacks in Britain and there has been a massive rise in hospital admissions.It follows an investigation by the Independent on Sunday which suggested that almost 14,000 people a year have become victims of knife attacks in Britain and there has been a massive rise in hospital admissions.
Mr McNulty says the figures must be made clear - despite problems with privacy. Straw's son 'mugged'
"I know again there is a balance between an individual's privacy in terms of turning up at a casualty and the national health system providing those figures so that we all know the full extent of knife injuries," he told the Adam Boulton show on Sky News. At the moment gunshot wounds have to be reported to police, stab wounds do not have to be reported.
"And I think there really should be a debate about that and one that I am trying to pursue with my health colleagues." But in an attempt to play down fears of a knife crime "epidemic", Mr Straw pointed to a survey of accident and emergency departments by Cardiff University which suggested that the number of people needing treatment for injuries caused by serious violence is falling.
The survey, published in April, does not, however, break down injuries by weapon used.
Mr Straw suggested that knife crime had always been a problem in certain urban areas, recollecting that one of his sons was mugged at knife-point on his way back from school in London in 1991.
He said that his son handed over his pocket-money to the robbers - before reporting what had happened to the police.