A SCHEME to cut knife crime by showing graphic images of stab wounds to teenagers has gone nationwide after a successful trial in Merseyside.

More than 40 Merseyside youngsters caught carrying knives have been confronted with the devastating reality of the damage done by blades, after meeting with doctors and nurses.

The Knife Crime Prevention Programme (KCPP) also requires offenders to meet with victims of knife crime and with ex-criminals who have turned their lives around.

Now the initiative has been extended to the other knife crime “hotspots” across England and Wales, after ministers declared the Merseyside trial had encouraging results.

David Hanson, a Home Office minister, said: "This course brings young people face to face with the consequences of knife crime, whatever the reason they carried the knife in the first place. These young people could be on the brink of entering serious crime or gang lifestyles."

And Cllr Marilyn Fielding, Liverpool's executive member for safer communities, said: "We are delighted that this pioneering programme, which has had a real impact in Liverpool, is being rolled out nationally.

"By intervening quickly and working closely with offenders to show them the dangers of carrying weapons we are helping prevent assaults and injuries and potentially saving lives."

The scheme began in Merseyside in June last year, run jointly by the Home Office and the Youth Justice Boards. It also offers anger management courses and lectures by police on the law on knives.

Officials predict that 2,000 offenders, aged 10 and 17, will pass through the programme within 12 months across 15 areas.