The number of children under 16 admitted to hospital with stab wounds has soared by over 60% in the last five years, figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats have revealed.

The figures, contained within a parliamentary answer, show that:

·        Admissions to hospital for stab wounds for under 16s have risen by 62% in five years

·        Admissions to hospital for stab wounds for 16-18 year olds have risen 42% in five years

·        Overall admissions to hospital for stab wounds have risen by 20% to almost 6000 a year

A spreadsheet containing the figures including a full regional breakdown is attached.

Commenting, Norman Lamb said:

“This shocking increase shows the Government’s strategy on knife crime is failing abjectly. 

“Ministers have repeatedly claimed that crime is falling, but these figures show serious attacks that require hospital admission are up.

“What is most disturbing is the steep rise in serious stab wounds amongst young people.  Teenagers don’t feel safe on our streets, which is only fueling the spiral of knife crime in this country.

“Instead of spending billions on unworkable and unnecessary ID cards, the Government should spend the money on actually making people safer by putting more police on our streets.”