New figures show that the number of people discovered to be carrying a knife has increased dramatically since Labour came to power, the numbers have increased by more than 50% .

An average of 17 people a day are convicted of possessing a knife or sharp object in public, which is a 62% increase on the 1998 figures.

The figures were released as six members of a bicycle gang were yesterday jailed for life for the murder of schoolboy Shaquille Smith in a park.

They were given minimum terms of between 15 and 18 years at the Old Bailey after the judge labelled them “arrogant cowards”.

The gang, members of the London Fields Boys, from Hackney, east London, stabbed the 14-year-old to death as he talked on a park bench about going on holiday to Jamaica.

All six members of the gang were found guilty of murder last month.

Judge David Paget said “The most shocking aspect is that it was completely unprovoked and completely unnecessary.

“It was truly mindless violence resulting in the death of a totally innocent 14-year-old boy sitting yards from his front door.”

In 2007, a total of 6,169 people were found guilty of having a knife or sharp object in public – up from 3,805 in 1998.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne, added:

“These figures highlight the knife crime epidemic sweeping the country.

“However, they are only the tip of the iceberg. Labour’s continuing quest to sound tougher than the Tories is doing nothing to get knives off our streets.

“The key to stopping knife crime is to increase the likelihood of being caught, through intelligence led stop and search and hotspot policing.”