Young target of 450 knife crimes

More than 450 young people in Northern Ireland were threatened or hurt with knives in the last five years, according to government figures.

Just over 100 attacks on youths aged under 18 happened in the last year, NI Secretary Paul Goggins said.

In 2006/07, 260 people of all ages were victims of knife crime. But that number rose to 423 in the past 12 months.

DUP MP Sammy Wilson said the idea of carrying a knife to protect yourself ought "to be rubbished".

"It can't be right that a young person can walk into a shop and purchase a blade up to 10in or 12in in length," he said.

Mr Wilson said no-one could have a legitimate reason for wanting to carry a knife and it was time to stop what had become "a worrying trend".

"I welcome the news that the new Criminal Justice Order will mean that knives can no long be sold to under-18s," he said.

"Almost a third of victims of knife crime are under 18 and I hope that the new CJO will help to greatly reduce this number."