RECORDED knife crimes have increased in the region over the last five years, reflecting the national rise in stabbings, according to Home Office figures.

Cleveland Police recorded 446 crimes in which knives were used between October 2016 and September 2017, an increase of 136 per cent on the same period in 2012-13.

Durham Constabulary recorded 219 crimes in which knives were used, an increase of 49 per cent, in the same periods, respectively.

The most common offence recorded for those crimes was assault with injury or intent to cause serious harm. There were 164 such incidents recorded in the 12 months to September 2017 – 75 per cent of all knife crimes.

In addition, there were 33 robberies using knives. Other knife crimes included four attempted murders and 14 death threats, as well as two rapes and two sexual assaults.

Ron Hogg, Durham Police and Crime Commissioner said: “Despite seeing increases in knife crime nationally, this trend has not been reflected in Durham Constabulary to the same extent.

“We recognised that recorded violent crime has risen locally, this is in the main due to changes in crime recording practices. This is very low level violence and harm levels have not increased. We are not complacent and continue, with public support, to monitor the situation on our streets.”

Home Office figures show, in the same periods respectively, Northumbria Police recorded 384 crimes in which knives were used – an increase of 16 per cent – while North Yorkshire Police recorded 235 crimes in which knives were used – an increase of 90 per cent.

The Home Office yesterday 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 that there were strong links between the rise in knife crime and drug dealing, with over half of deaths since 2014 involving a victim or a suspect using or dealing drugs.

Ms 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.”

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. Over a third of those crimes took place in London.