A CHANGE in the law to impose tougher sentences on teenager who threaten someone with a knife has been welcomed by Enfield politicians.

Enfield Council leader Doug Taylor and Enfield Southgate MP David Burrowes praised the news that the Government has backed proposals for mandatory four-month prison sentences for 16 and 17-year-olds convicted of knife crime.

Mr Burrowes, who worked with fellow Enfield MP Nick de Bois to pressure ministers into accepting the change, said: "I am pleased that Ken Clarke has responded positively to the case Nick and I made to him and agreed to our amendment.

“We made the point that a clear message must be sent to young people of the seriousness of carrying knives.”

The news came after the Enfield Independent launched the Don't Carry Don't Kill campaign, after a series of knife crime in the borough including the killing of teenagers Negus McClean and Leroy James and 21-year-old Steven Grisales, who were all stabbed to death.

Mr Burrowes went on to describe the amendment as “Enfield's Law” - a direct response to the knife crime blighting our community.

This newspaper has led a high-profile campaign with Mr de Bois to tackle knife crime, urging for tougher sentences to dissuade young people as well as adults from carrying knives.

Cllr Taylor said: "Enfield Council would like to congratulate the Enfield Independent on the success of its campaign to tackle knife crime.

“This is an issue that affects communities across the country and needs a national solution, which they have played a major role in helping to achieve through this new legislation.”

"Our position has always been that people who use knives to terrify, intimidate and injure people with knives should face the full force of the law, and the courts and we are delighted that the government agrees with us.”

He went on to call for investment in the criminal justice system to ensure young offenders are rehabilitated, rather than “allowing them to languish in prison and become hardened criminals".

The bill before Parliament which now includes the amendment put forward by Mr de Bois is due to be passed to the House of Lords for scrutiny, and could become law early next year.