Reports of knife crime in England and Wales have surged to a record high of more than 43,500 in one year, according to new statistics released today.

There was an increase of 8%, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics.

The proportion of crimes solved has fallen to the lowest level recorded, according to Home Office data.

In the 12 months to the end of March 7.8% of offences resulted in someone being charged or summonsed to appear at court.

The data began to be compiled in 2015.

The number of killings rose from 693 to 701, excluding terror attacks.

Just last week Darren Pencille was sentenced to life in prison for stabbing dad Lee Pomeroy to death on a train in what became a high profile case.

The statistics also show an 11% increase in robbery in the year ending in March 2019.