A HARROW MP who campaigned for tougher sentences for knife-wielding teens said the Government backed down to avoid another backbench rebellion.

Justice Secretary Ken Clarke had earlier this week appeared to reject calls for proposed mandatory jail terms for threatening someone with a knife to be extended to 16 and 17-year-olds, saying it should be left to judges' discretion.

However, in a surprise announcement on Wednesday night, the veteran Tory minister caved in to mounting pressure and revealed plans for mandatory four-month jail terms.

Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East, said pressure from MPs and the public had been mounting for weeks for a change in the law to tackle teenage knife crime.

He said: “Around 40 MPs had signed the amendment and the Government said it was looking again.

“There was considerable pressure following Monday night, and the last thing they would want is another major rebellion on their hands.

“Labour had also indicated it was likely to support the amendment and the Government would be risking defeat.”

The Enfield Independent launched its Don't Carry Don't Kill campaign earlier this year, calling for tougher deterrents to knife crime and backing Enfield North MP Nick de Bois' tabled amendment to Parliament.

Mr Blackman was a vocal supporter of the campaign, working with other MPs to put pressure on Mr Clarke, Home Secretary Theresa May, and Prime Minister David Cameron to back a change in the law.

He said: “The introduction of a mandatory sentence will be much more of a deterrent to criminals, this is really good news.”

The Don't Carry Don't Kill campaign started after a spate of stabbings in Enfield, Haringey and Harrow, and Mr Blackman's view that change was needed was reinforced on a week-long placement he completed with the Met Police.

He witnessed 16 and 17-year-old boys laughing and joking in a police station after being arrested, knowing they would not face tough consequences for carrying a knife under the current justice system.

The amended bill is likely to be passed to the House of Lords next week, and could be passed into law early next year.