I have carried a pocket knife for as long as I remember, the current one for about 25 years. It has a short blade and locks open, which stops it folding onto my fingers during use. In a previous knee jerk act, it became illegal to carry it because of the lock. I now live in France.

Keith Wilson, Beziers, France

Why worry about not criminalizing children? If they walk like ducks and quack like ducks ...
Where were the parents when these kids were small? No self-discipline, no respect for themselves = no respect for others = criminal behaviour.

Sarah, Ottawa, ON, Canada

Canada, UK and US - anglo-saxon heritage - all respond the same way: ban this & that, does this common trait represent a political genetic malady of our cultures?
The cure is called PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, and less 'nanny' statism, which makes people safer - not banning some inanimate objects.

Gishere joan, phoenix, usa

It's all very well doubling the minimum sentence to 4 years, but when the sentence is seldom applied - six times? give me a break! - it's meaningless, and kids know it.

Mike, Brighton, England

This from the CPS website re knife carrying

" . . . there will be a number of compelling public interest factors in favour of prosecution . . . "

Why so many cautions?

The truth is this government has made no provision for detaining criminals so just smack their wrists and let them go.

R Bingham, Lauzun, France

What is so special about knives? Ban knives, some other implement such as a chain worn as a belt will be used.
People feel unsafe walking the streets because there is inadequate policing, and a weapon for self defence is seen as a necessary precaution - carry a heavy walking stick at all times!

Chris Robinson, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

"However, ministers have to decide yet which policy to adopt towards those under 16, as they do not want to criminalise children."

So if you get stabbed by someone under 16, the consolation is that you're not a crime victim. Well that's a relief !

BRP, London, Middx

Yaaaawn.... another knee-jerk reaction by a government completely out of its depth. Over 16s.... does ANY of these people ever get out of their taxpayer-funded limos onto the streets of London ???

Chris, London,

Brittons, if you tottally forbid the possession of fire arms you will get knife troubles. If you tottally ban knives you WILL get sticks and stones. The problem is not the instrument. It is indeed getting more violent out there, there IS a problem but the instruments not its cause.

Rui, Lisbon, Portugal

"Tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime" (TB) Yawn, yawn - nothing will happen - hasn't in the last 10 years, though it undoubtedly needs to. The feral youths don't give a damn and where would we/could we put them even if the judiciary were to start handing out the appropriate punishments?

Milo, Uckfield, UK

No police on the streets.
No room in the prisons.
No provision for under 16s.
No difference.
Just words RIP

Ian, Berwick , UK

Abandon the namby pamby european human rights policy that is destroying our country and bring back severe corpral punishment.

The jails are full and like a butlins holiday camp anyway.

James Robertson, Aberdeen,

Hypocritical of the government to ban knifes carried for deterrence, considering that for the past half century they've spent billions on considerably more deadly weapons under the same doctrine.

Joseph, Moshi, Tanzania

Does this mean that I can be prosecuted for carrying the Swiss army knife that I’ve carried for years and has been used in that time for a multitude of purposes? Or can we expect to see intelligent policing. Or is that a paradox?

Keith, France,

Anyone carrying a knife should pay a fine, if they can't pay it, their parents will, if not benefits off for a few months. This will hurt them hard, harder than going to jail for a few days to watch telly

P.J, london, uk

People werent prosecuted for carrying a sword,only for the illegal use,HANGING,was then a deterent,the worry of killing .Duels maybe an answer.

derek bevan, Huntingdon, England

I suppose we will just have to hope the police are capable of setting a "good reason" we could all agree on.
Unless they're building 250,000 new prison places, more promises to be forgotten about.

Dominic, Manchester, England

What about the under 16s !! the Solicitors will make a KILLING from this legislation,(KNIFE)?

derek bevan, Huntingdon, England

Listen up ! Within the gang structure the weapons are routinely carried by the under 16's. These children are already criminals. Wise up !

Vic, London, UK

I would also like to see more summary justice - at present it takes much too long for someone caught red-handed with a large knife to be prosecuted and sentenced. Bang them up straight away. No bail, no 'social reports', just check if they have previous, for anything.

Tony, Oxford,

Zaphod is exactly right. I carry a swiss Army knife too. And always shall do. Incredibly useful tool.

Paul , London,

why do all these politicians and functionaries talk about "frightened" youths carrying knives for their "protection". Who are youths afraid of? - youths carrying knives out of bravado and to get power over their peers - target that behaviour and there is less need for fear and "defensive" knives.

David Kirkham, Highland, Scotland

It won't work, because we have treated the prisoner better than poor hard work people. If teenagers view the prison as a holiday centre, how would they be afraid of being prosecuted?!

John , London,

So you'll get groups of teenagers, with one of them under 16, carrying the knife(s). Will the new 'law' make a difference, of course not. Kids are scared of nothing these days.

Arthur, Newcastle,

And where are they going to put them to serve their 4 year sentence?

Dee Bee, Bournemouth, England

As it remains for the courts to decide if those prosecuted are fined, given community service or jailed it'll make little difference. The courts know the jails are full and won't be sending anyone to prison for carrying a knife unless it has been used to kill or severely wound. Fined! That'll deter.

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

Carrying a knife is deadly as having a gun, they are both deadly, they need longer jail time

mohsen, malaga, spain

Prosecution, if found guilty, has to be followed up with a meaningful punishment.

The Prime Minister should be holding talks with those responsible for 'sentencing guidelines'.

Mike, Gravesend, England

The problem is the definition of 'good cause'.

I carry a knife all day whilst going about my business. It is a small penknife and it's a tool I use many times daily.

Am I going to be sent to jail for two years for carrying a swiss army knife?

It's another knee jerk reaction and [no more space]

Zaphod, Chichester, England

Oh, gosh, they are going to prosecute them? You KNOW their answer--"So what? Prosecution is completely and totally meaningless unless there is some substantial punishment meted out to the guilty. Community service? Listen--you can hear the hoodlums laughing already.

Bob Evans, Anaheim, California

The upward spiral of violence involving knife crime solely rests with the sections of our community who protested about their infringement of civil liberties in the 80's and 90's. Now that our youth are running riot with impunity, (protected by the human rights act ) this should not be a surprise.

Andy, Walton on Thames, Surrey

How many years have we heard about Labour crackdowns and initiatives... this is just another set of meetings, statements and speeches... nothing will change.

Paul, Barnet,

Once again the government are pussy-footing around the problem, why set the age at 16? Anyone who is caught carrying a knife (without a realistic reason), regardless of age should receive an automatic minimum custodial sentence, giving someone a 'slap on the wrist' is no deterent.

Les, Southport, England

The real question is: will this or any other government be willing to incarcerate the number of youths that will be found to be carrying knives? Present practice would indicate no.

Christopher Marks, Boca Raton, USA

Tough on crime - I don't think so!

If the PM is serious about anti-social / criminal behaviour, then regardless of age, anyone carrying a knife (without good cause) should be prosecuted, and if below the current age of criminal responsibility, then parents / guardians should be criminalised.

David, West Bridgford Nottingham, UK