Knife crime in Greenwich has soared by 30 per cent in recent months, according to new figures.

London has been gripped by a knife crime epidemic this year, with the number of reported stabbings in the capital at a seven-year high.

New stats show the picture in Greenwich as top councillors prepare to get an update on their priorities.

According to a report, there has been an increase of 30 per cent in total knife crimes in the last quarter, up from 41 to 53.

This includes threats made with a knife as well as actually using the weapon.

There has also been an increase in young knife crime victims from 17 to 29 in  the last quarter.

Tackling knife crime has been a priority for Greenwich Council, which established a Knife Crime and Serious Youth Violence Task Force earlier this year aiming to prevent violence at an early stage.

According to the report: “A partnership Knife Crime Action Plan has been drawn up and submitted to Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) as part of a London-wide programme.

“It contains over 50 areas of activity, many of them already established practice but including 18 new initiatives. The primary delivery partners are the police, the Safer Communities Team and Children’s Services.”

Shops have also been encouraged to back an anti-knife charter, aimed at preventing under-age purchasing of knives.

Councillors will discuss the stats at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, November 14.

Earlier this year councillors spoke out over the impact of police cuts and called for more funding for Scotland Yard.

Since September 2009 there has been a cut of 22,424 police officers. in England and Wales.

Today, the Government’s victim commissioner Baroness Newlove’s warned that primary school children should be taught the dangers of knives and gangs.