Four teenagers a day are victims of knife violence in London according to new figures INS News Group

ALMOST four teenagers a day in London are the victims of knife violence, figures reveal today.

And more than seven youngsters are robbed at knifepoint in the capital every day, according to Home Office statistics that lay bare the threat that blades pose for teens.

Campaigners said tackling knives was a "massive task" and called for tougher sentences and more effective targeting of children at risk of being drawn into gang culture.

Last year, 24 under 19s were stabbed to death on London’s streets, as well as 60 people aged over 20.

In the 12 months to March this year 1,351 under-19s were the victims of blade-related violence, including actual stabbings, threats to kill, wounding and other injuries.

The figure leapt to 4,083 for over-20s. In the same period 2,727 under-19s were robbed at knifepoint, along with 4,281 over-20s.

The research come from the Home Office’s Tackling Knives Action Plan (TKAP), which has helped fund part of the Met’s stop-and-search Operation Blunt 2.

"People are still being attacked every day and if it is not with a knife then that will not be recorded"

Since TKAP began in June last year, knife violence fell by a fifth and the number of knifepoint robberies dropped by a quarter.

But the parents of murdered teenagers say more needs to be done. Barry Mizen, the father of 16-year-old Jimmy, who was murdered in an Eltham bakery last year, said: "There is still a massive task ahead.

"Long term answers are needed. Any sort of improvement needs to be applauded but knife crime figures can mask the true situation.

“People are still being attacked every day and if it is not with a knife then that will not be recorded."

Mizen, along with the parents of Rob Knox, the 18-year-old Harry Potter actor stabbed to death outside a bar in Sidcup last year, and the family of 14-year-old David Idowu who was murdered with a knife in Southwark last year, have formed a pressure group called Families United to appeal for a long-term solution to violence in society.

Another Families United member, Gary Trowsdale, from the Damilola Taylor Trust, called for police, charities and schools to work more closely in areas rife with gang culture like Edmonton, areas round Peckham, Thornton Heath and Brixton.

Lyn Costello, from pressure group Mothers Against Murder And Agression, added: "We need to stop giving these kids a slap on the wrist for walking round with a knife in their pocket. We need to give them a proper sentence and then work with them to make sure they have a chance in life."

TKAP received an extra £5 million earlier this year to increase police targeting of the most serious criminals.