KNIFE crime in Hampshire has more than doubled in the last five years, new figures have revealed.

Home Office statistics show Hampshire Constabulary recorded 828 crimes in which knives were used between October 2016 and September 2017, an increase of 145 per cent on the same period in 2012-13.

The figure includes six murders, seven attempted murders and 83 death threats.

There were also 260 robberies using knives – more than a quarter of all knife crimes.

However, the most common offence recorded for those crimes was assault with injury or intent to cause serious harm.

There were 457 such incidents recorded in the 12 months to September 2017 – 55 per cent of all knife crimes.

Hampshire police bosses admit there has been an increase in knife crime recordings across the county.

However the force’s lead for knife crime, chief inspector Claire Taylor, says the force is working hard to combat knife related crime.

She said: “We take knife crime very seriously.

“We continue to tackle knife crime focusing on engagement with schools and partners to gather information relating to those who carry knives.

“Carrying knives is often linked to drug related harm, and we continue to refresh our approach to tackling this.”

She added that the force had conducted a “week of action” related to knife crime in February.

This included recovering 54 weapons using amnesty bins and stop and search tactics and making 10 arrests linked to knife-related incidents.

The force also carried out test purchases at 44 stores, of which seven failed.

Nationally, there were over 37,000 recorded knife crimes across England and Wales between October 2016 and September 2017, a 44 per cent increase on the same period in 2012-13.

On Monday, the Home Office published their Serious Violence Strategy, which aims to prevent young people being drawn into lives of violence.

In a speech announcing the strategy, the home secretary, Amber Rudd, said: “I’ve seen what’s going around our streets – the zombie knives, axes and bayonets.

“And let me tell you, it might have had a place in medieval warfare but it certainly doesn’t have a place on our city streets.”

Among the measures announced are new restrictions on the online sale of knives, and a complete ban on certain weapons, including zombie knives.