Society must emphasise the dangers of knife crime to stop teenagers from believing that carrying a blade is “normal”, the most senior prosecutor in England and Wales has said.

Alison Saunders highlighted the potentially “massive” impact on a young person’s life, even if they do not intend to use the weapon in their possession.

Her remarks, in an address to schoolchildren, come after a spate of fatal stabbings earlier this year sparked intense concern over serious violence on Britain’s streets.

While London was particularly badly hit by bloodshed, police figures show rises in knife-related offending around England and Wales.

Speaking at The National Black Crown Prosecutors Association conference, Ms Saunders said: “Teenagers need to be warned that carrying a knife, even having one hidden in a school bag, can have a massive impact on their future.”

Lewisham police raids
Knives seized in a police raid (Yui Mok/PA)

The Director of Public Prosecutions emphasised that knife crime “can affect anyone, not just people in gangs”.

Ms Saunders, whose five-year term as head of the Crown Prosecution Service comes to an end later this month, said: “Young people say they carry them because of peer pressure or for protection, but in fact you are much more likely to become a victim of knife crime yourself.

“Situations involving weapons can quickly get out of control.

“If you are found with a knife, you will be arrested and are very likely to be charged with a crime for a first time offence.

“We must challenge the assumption that it’s normal to carry a knife. It isn’t.

“You are putting yourself, other people and your future at risk.”

Stabbing in Tufnell Park
Police near the scene of a stabbing in Tufnell Park, north London (Caitlin Doherty/PA)

Latest Ministry of Justice statistics show that the number of knife and offensive weapons cases being dealt with by the criminal justice system is at its highest in eight years.

The figures show 13,248 offences of possession of an article with a blade or point, 6,865 of possession of an offensive weapon, and 988 where a knife or weapon was used to make threats against others resulted in a conviction or caution in the 12 months to June.

The combined total of 21,101 was the highest for an equivalent 12-month period since the year ending June 2010.

In nearly 4,500 cases, the offender was aged under 18.

The statistics tally with police-recorded crime figures, which show forces in England and Wales registered 40,147 offences involving a knife or sharp instrument in 2017/18 – a 16% increase on the previous year.