Gordon Brown acknowledged today that too many people feel unsafe in their own homes as public concern about knife crime spirals.

Speaking at his regular Downing Street press conference, the Prime Minister insisted that those carrying knives were more likely to be caught and face punishment now than ever before.

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But he admitted: "Too many people, young and old, do not feel safe in the streets, and sometimes even in their homes, as a result of the behaviour of a minority.

"We need to make it absolutely clear to everyone, but especially young people, that in our country there are boundaries of acceptable behaviour, that it is completely unacceptable to carry a knife."

He went on to say that there were more stop-and-searches being carried out than ever and more cash for such procedures.

A new presumption to prosecute offenders also meant they were ever more likely to be punished.

He said community sentences were being strengthened to make them "tough, visible and effective" and that the Government would do more to prevent youngsters "falling into crime".

Early intervention would be extended to 20,000 families, who would face the threat of eviction if they failed to respond positively to support.