Government pledges £3 million to tackle knife crime

The Government has pledged an extra £3 million to tackle knife crime in 10 hotspots across the UK, which includes Greater Manchester.

The news comes just two days after three men were hospitalised in two seperate knife attacks in Rochdale at the weekend and in the same month that a brave school teacher confronted a knife wielding youth on a bus in Middleton.

The money, which comes on top of a £2 million injection that was announced earlier this year, will fund a visible police presence on school routes and dedicated officers to work with young people who could become offenders or victims of knife crime.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith hopes to portray a message that youngsters do not need knives to protect themselves.

Police officers will be on school routes when children are returning home as this is the most likely time for trouble to occur.