A London based newspaper is aiming to tackle the scourge of teenage gang culture and knife crime on its patch through a new campaign.

Newsquest title The Enfield Independent launched its ‘Don’t Carry, Don’t Kill’ campaign in conjunction with MP for the area Nick de Bois. It calls for a specific law change which will see teenagers caught carrying knives given mandatory sentences.

The campaign has been backed by the families of recent murder victims and is also being carried by sister papers the Haringey Independent and Harrow Times.

Group editor of the North London Times & Independent group  Martin Buhagiar said that gang culture is spreading in North London and would-be teenage murderers are carrying weapons every day and getting away with it.

In April a 15-year-old boy died after being stabbed in the chest after he tried to stop a gang stealing his 12-year-old brother’s phone.

Said Martin: “Of those caught carrying a knife last year 40pc were under the age of 18. It seems ludicrous to have a mandatory sentence for adults when so many teenagers are needlessly losing their lives.”

Last month the Government pledged that any adult caught in possession of a knife or bladed weapon would face a mandatory six month prison sentence. The proposed sentencing powers do not yet extend to those under the age of 18.

Enfield North MP Nick de Bois said: “I greatly welcome the Don’t Carry, Don’t Kill campaign launched by the Enfield Independent.

“This is a campaign of such critical importance to our community where we have seen all too tragic examples of fatal stabbings and serious injury.”

The paper has also printed a petition for readers to sign in the hope that the law will be changed in October.