TWO Enfield politicians have written to the country's top lawyer asking him to do more to tackle knife crime in Enfield.

Enfield North MP Nick de Bois and Enfield Southgate MP David Burrowes wrote the letter to Attorney General Dominic Grieve after a judge at a murder trial in south London criticised authorities last week.

Seven teenagers were sent to prison last Friday over the stabbing to death of 16-year-old Nicholas Pearton in May last year, and Judge Anthony Morris hit out at the Crown Prosecution Service for not doing enough to make young people aware of the consequences of gang knife crime.

Mr de Bois and Mr Burrowes want the Government to amend a bill due to go before parliament in October to require a mandatory jail sentence for those under 18 using knives in a threatening manner.

The Enfield Independent has backed their call as part of our Don't Carry, Don't Kill campaign to tackle teen knife crime in the borough.

In their letter, they said: “Enfield has a particular problem with knife crime presently that has sadly been evident for several years – it is a matter of great concern to our constituents.

“In light of the comments from Judge Morris, we would be very grateful if you could respond given our interest in this matter and the widespread concerns of our constituents.

“Clearly for the sake of young people in Enfield and elsewhere more needs to be done by way of addressing this issue.”

The Enfield Independent has launched a petition with the two MPs, which will be presented to parliament when it returns after the summer recess.

Parliament will only accept petitions with hand-written signatures, so click here to download the petition, print it out, and send it to: Nick de Bois MP, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.