Campaigns targeting teenagers and direct action by co-ordinated public services has led to a drop in the number of teen knife crime victims.

Figures from the Department of Health revealed a 4.4% drop in teenage knife victims in the 10 areas that launched the Tackling Knives Action Programme (TKAP) following a series of tragic deaths of young people.

Education campaigns, controversial stop and searches, and initiatives such as youth forums led to the reduction on teenagers being treated by hospitals.

The initiative was launched on 5 June 2008, after a series of knife murders of young people which attracted national media interest.

Provisional Home Office research concluded there had been a 32% decrease in admissions of people aged under 19 for knife assault, and the success has led to the initiative being increased to 16 areas.

There was also a 13% fall in the number of teenagers who were robbed at knife-point. Outside the pilot scheme there was a reduction in admissions of 2.2%.

Four Whitehall departments, including the Department of Health and the Home Office linked up with the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Youth Justice Board, local councils and other agencies to co-ordinate work.

Councils involved included Southwark, Brent, Birmingham, Cardiff and Liverpool. The total cost was £5.4m but this was countered by savings generated for the health service, reduced police investigations, court time and prison costs.

The Home Office report concluded: ‘Provisional NHS admissions data suggest the drop was more marked in TKAP areas.

‘These findings are encouraging, suggesting that fewer young people are becoming the victims of knife crime.’

A spokesman for the LGA said the results proved better ways of working at local level delivered real results. He said: ‘The success of this programme is yet more evidence that a place-based approach works.

‘Far too many agencies currently spend money running themselves and talking to each other, rather than doing things people want.

‘Far too much time at the frontline is spent accounting to bureaucrats, rather than being accountable to people who actually use services. This scheme demonstrates the real differences which can be made when agencies work together to tackle the problems that blight local people’s lives.’