New figures released from the Government shows that the number of teenagers caught carrying knives has fallen. The campaign was set-up back in July, at a cost of 2 million pounds to the taxpayer, and has seen over 100,000 youths searched since its launch. During the campaign, 2,200 knives were taken off the streets and the number of youngsters caught carrying has went from 1 in 30 to 1 in 65.

The areas targetted by the campaign were Lancashire, Merseyside, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Nottinghamshire, West Midlands, South Wales, Thames Valley, Essex and London. These 10 Knife crime hot spots make up around 80% of knife violence in England and Wales.

So, in all fairness, it seems that the knife crackdown seems to be working. What now, though? Carry on, throwing massive resources at the problem and hope, eventually, that the message will get through? What about the other areas outside the hot spots, did knife crime fall in these places as well? Do ordinary people feel any safer walking the streets? Education is the key here. We have to educate those that ‘might’ carry a knife and those that already do, that having a blade is not really a smart move. If they want to protect themselves then let them carry personal alarms instead. That way there will be less bloodshed on our streets and they can feel safe without the risk of being caught with a knife.