'Fear and the fashion' factor of knife crime and knife-wielding girl gangs have been highlighted in ex-EastEnders star Brooke Kinsella's report on combating youth violence.
Kinsella has been a passionate campaigner on the growing issue of knife crime, following the death of her 16-year-old brother Ben who was stabbed to death three years ago.
The 27-year-old actress, who was appointed a Government adviser on the issue last year, called for anti-knife crime projects for schools and more work with young children before they become susceptible to peer pressure.
In her report, Kinsella called for the need to turn prisons and young offenders institutions into "places of punishment" as they were often seen as "a holiday camp", as well as more data-sharing between police, schools and other agencies.
Following Kinsella's findings, more than £18 million in government funding has been announced to tackle crimes involving knives, guns and gangs over the next two years.
"Off the back of Brooke's recommendations, we will invest money into changing attitudes and behaviour, alongside being tough on those who persist in being involved in senseless crimes", said Home Secretary Theresa May.
At the weekend, a teenager became the UK's latest victim of knife crime when he was fatally stabbed in front of a stationary bus full of passengers in south London.
"I really believe the problem of knife crime has escalated in the past few years, and the impact it has on communities and families is devastating," said Kinsella.
Last month, figures from Britain's largest force showed knife crime rose by more than 8 per cent last year compared with 2009.
