In an attempt to allay fears about rising levels of violence, shops will be banned from selling knives to under-18s and stiffer penalties will be imposed on those caught carrying knives on the street.

David Blunkett, the home secretary, wants a five-year sentence — similar to that for people carrying guns — to be the penalty for those in possession of knives.

It follows recent high-profile cases in which home owners were murdered while attempting to tackle burglars entering their properties.

The issue has become central to the debate on crime, with the Conservatives putting forward a private member’s bill to clear the way for homeowners to use everything but “grossly disproportionate” force to tackle intruders.

Blunkett is keen to stop the Tories gaining the upper hand in the debate. Tony Blair, the prime minister, was quick to concede last week that the law on tackling intruders may need to be changed and even hinted that he may support the bill put forward by Patrick Mercer, the Tory MP.

Home Office minister Hazel Blears last month revealed the extent of the rise in knife crimes. She said that in 2003, 272 of the UK’s 1,007 murder victims were killed in knife attacks, 70 more than in 1997.

And the Youth Justice Board has said that up to 300,000 of Britain’s 10m pupils take knives into class, even though it is now a specific criminal offence. Most claim they are for “self-defence”. Figures for London show that one in six muggings involves someone carrying a knife.

The new measures are likely to be added to the crime initiatives announced in the Queen’s Speech. The revised law would extend the ban on under-16s buying knives to under-18s.

Last month City financier John Monckton was stabbed and killed at his Chelsea home. His death followed a similar incident in Chiswick, west London, in October when Robert Symons was killed by burglars.

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