Sundays consider teen knife crime

The mounting concern over knife violence among teenagers is reflected in Sunday's papers.

The News of the World reports that friends of the latest victim in London - Shakilus Townsend - have set up a website pledging revenge.

The People says its investigation found more than 1,000 teenage gangs are roaming Britain's streets.

The Independent on Sunday says knife crime is far worse than official statistics suggest.

'Glory Laura'

Pride of place on the front page of the Mail on Sunday goes to Britain's first Wimbledon singles champion for 24 years

"Glory Laura" the paper sings, continuing: "What a smasher she is", after 14-year-old Laura Robson lifted the junior girls' title.

"Britain's new darling", "Laura, Princess of Wimbledon" proclaims the Independent on Sunday.

While the Observer and the People reckon the teenager now has her eyes on beating champion Venus Williams.

Vatican talks

The Sunday Telegraph reports that Church of England bishops have held secret talks with Vatican officials over the Anglican Communion crisis.

It says the meeting with senior advisers to the Pope was an attempt to build closer ties with Rome.

And, the Telegraph says, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, was not told of the meeting.

It believes this will be seen as fresh blow to his efforts to prevent a major split in the Church of England.

Kiss of death?

Could a Glasgow kiss be fatal for Gordon Brown, asks the Observer's Andrew Rawnsley.

Victory in the looming by-election in the city's east constituency is crucial for the prime minister with two failures behind him, he says.

It is a view shared by the Telegraph's columnist Matthew d'Ancona, who suggests Labour knows much more is at stake on 24 July than a by-election.

It's a "nightmare" on Gordon Brown's "well-chewed hands", he says.