Schools to teach lessons on knife crime amid surge in violent attacks

School children as young as 11 are set to be given one-hour lessons on the dangers of knife crime amid a surge of violence in the capital.

The £1 million bid to curb bloodshed will see children told it is a "myth" that they will be safer carrying a weapon.

Teachers will be educated on slang related to knife crime before carrying out the classes and have been issued with booklets explaining words such as "shank" or "tool" for knife, "mandem" and "posse" for gang and "feds" for police.

Students will also be taught about the dangers of social media, the impact of carrying a dangerous weapon and strategies to resist peer pressure.

According to the Met Police, there were 1,296 stabbings in London from January until the end of April this year.

At least 51 people have been fatally stabbed in the capital since the beginning of the year.

Last year, forces in England and Wales recorded 39,598 offences involving a knife or sharp instrument, an increase of 22 percent.

The Home Office's teaching materials were circulated last week and state that the lessons have been designed to help reduce knife crime by equipping teachers to "challenge the myths and communicate the realities" of carrying a knife.

On Tuesday, Home Secretary Sajid Javid will chair the latest meeting of the newly established serious violence taskforce, which will focus on early intervention and methods for stopping young people being drawn into crime.

Crime Minister Victoria Atkins said: "The summer holidays can pose additional dangers to young people, which is why we are determined to do everything we can to keep them safe and give them the tools and resilience they need to enjoy the summer break.

"We need everyone to work together to tackle the rise in serious violence and I thank every teacher who takes the time in their busy schedule to deliver these vital lessons to their students."

Children's Minister Nadhim Zahawi said: "Knife crime has devastating consequences on society and this government is determined to take action and protect our children, families and communities from it.

"These lesson plans will help illustrate the real impact of knife crime on young people's lives. It's heartening to know schools up and down the country are taking advantage of them."

Additional reporting by PA.