Measures that could see knife crime suspects banned from social media and meeting with other gang members have been welcomed by politicians.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid today announced new measures to control suspects thought to be carrying knives, in a big to cut rising violent crime.

Under Knife Crime Prevent Orders anyone in England and Wales over 12-years-old suspected of knife crime involvement could face measures including a ban on social media and meeting with other gang members and curfews to keep them off the street.

Breaching one of these sanctions would be a criminal offence punishable with up to two years in prison.

The chairman of the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee, Steve O’Connell, said: “The proposal from the Government would add to the tools that the police have to tackle violence, but it’s just one of a series of measures that we need to consider.”

Eight people have so far lost their lives this year in the capital because of knife crime and 138 people were murdered in London in 2018.

But Mr O’Connell said it was important the focus of tackling crime in the capital must be on “real prevention” and tackling the “root causes” of violence.

He added: “A child’s early years – especially if traumatic – can have a serious effect on their future mindset. Exclusions from school are also an issue as they can leave child with fewer safeguards.

“This approach must be taken to prevent the loss of more young lives to knife crime.”