This month, Northumbria Police Public Protection Unit (PPU) in Sunderland will target offenders convicted of knife-related incidents.

Working with probation officers, they will visit offenders, seek their views, and try to find out how they became involved in violent crime.

The scheme forms part of the Tackling Knives Action Programme (TKAP).

So far, the initiative is proving successful, with officers being able to stop people from re-offending as well as gaining an accurate picture of the issues surrounding knife crime.

Officers have also been showing young people a DVD aimed at raising awareness of the issue.

Detective Inspector Paul Foggin, from the PPU, said: "By working with the probation service, we're able to speak to offenders after their conviction and find out the reasons they offended in the first place.

"This information helps us to build a picture of why people get involved in knife crime which we can use to inform and educate other people to stop them from carrying a knife.

"There is no reason for anyone to be carrying a knife for protection and people who do are more likely to have the knife used on them."

Chief Superintendent Dave Pryer, area commander for Wearside, said: "Earlier this year, officers visited every secondary school to warn pupils about the dangers of carrying knives. The area command is running a knife surrender programme which allows people to voluntarily hand in any knives they may be in possession of.

"We make no apologies for taking a tough approach to tackling knife crime and will endeavour to deliver a strong anti-knife message throughout Sunderland."

Karin O'Neill, Sunderland district manager for Northumbria Probation Area, said: "This scheme is important and an excellent chance to build on our existing partnership work with police and work we do with offenders.

"By engaging with these offenders in their own time, together with our police colleagues, we are able to deliver really strong and clear messages about the dangers of knife crime."