AS PRESSURE mounts on Home Secretary John Reid to tackle knife crime, York-based campaigners have called for stronger laws.

The cache of deadly knives and swords handed in to York Police so far is a chilling sight all the more so because officers admit there must be many, many more still on the streets.

Today marks the end of a turbulent first month in office for the newly-appointed Home Secretary.

It is also now almost a fortnight since a nationwide knife amnesty began. In total, 386 weapons were handed in across North Yorkshire in the first week, and a further 57 dropped off in police stations in East Yorkshire.

Inspector Richard Anderson, in charge of the York campaign, said: "Nothing surprises me anymore. And who knows how many are out there? It's completely unknown."

For many, tougher legislation is the only answer.

Dr Reid met fellow Home Office Ministers last week to discuss his Government's drive in tackling knife crime. The meeting came amid speculation that he wants to increase the maximum jail term for carrying a knife from two to five years.

Davey Burns has had first-hand experience of knife crime in York he was stabbed in the stomach by a 13-year-old girl in April last year.

Mr Burns, 19, said it was a "positive step" that tougher sentences were now on the political agenda.

He said: "Tougher laws is the only way to tackle knife crime, and fingers crossed they go ahead with it.

Moira Windass tragically lost her son, Peter, to knife crime. Peter was killed in a stabbing in York in 1994, and Mrs Windass now works with campaign group Support After Murder and Manslaughter.

She too is calling for stronger sentences for those convicted of carrying and using knives. She said: "I wish I was in the Home Office I would have a thing or two to say to them. I don't know John Reid, but this new Home Secretary has only been around for about a month and I am already quite impressed. He seems to be making the right noises, and I will follow this topic with interest."

A Home Office spokesman said: "The Government is determined to tackle the devastation of knife crime. With the Violent Crime Reduction Bill going through Parliament, the opportunity is there to look at ways of strengthening the law on knife possession."