A HARROW MP says gang crime in Harrow Weald is the “tip of the iceberg”.

In a Commons debate, Harrow East MP Bob Blackman backed our Don't Carry, Don't Kill campaign by calling for under-18s to be given a six-month mandatory jail sentence if they are caught with a knife.

Our campaign launched last week in a fightback against the increase in gang crime which has led to violent stabbings and attacks.

In Parliament Mr Blackman said: “There is a great fear of crime in the area, which has been exacerbated by recent events.

"It stems from what happened two or three years ago, when Wealdstone was essentially a no-go area after dark because of the gangs in the area.

“The situation culminated in the stabbing of a young man at a petrol station. I am delighted to say the police apprehended those responsible and broke the gang. Those responsible are now in prison, but of course, gang membership starts at different ages.

“The police cracked down in Wealdstone and that was a tremendous success, but the gangs then moved north into Harrow Weald. A gang has terrorised the local neighbourhood there.”

Mr Blackman highlighted two stabbings that happened within a fortnight around the same stretch of road in Harrow Weald.

On Sunday, July 3, the High Road was closed off as police investigated the stabbing of a 16-year-old who they say received "puncture wounds" from a broken bottle.

Nine days earlier, on Friday, June 24, a 15-year-old was also stabbed during a fight with up to 15 teenagers in the same area.

Referring to the July 3 stabbing, Mr Blackman said: “The criminal involved has, we believe, been apprehended, and will be processed.

“This is the tip of the iceberg, however. The gang is causing mayhem in the area. Young people on their way to and from school are frequently mugged, relieved of their money and their mobile phones, and are in fear of going about their normal business in daylight hours. We must combat that.

“Those who are apprehended carrying knives should face a custodial sentence, regardless of their age.

"Even if they are under 18, we need to challenge young people and say, ‘Do not carry knives, because if you do so and you’re apprehended, you’ll face a custodial sentence.’

“We must go further, too. We must encourage parents to make sure young people do not join gangs in the first place, and we must offer alternatives for young people.”

Last week Mr Blackman said: “I greatly welcome the Don’t Carry, Don’t Kill campaign being launched by the Harrow Times."