The number of fatal stabbings is surging – six men were killed in just 24 hours last week.

Although the crimes are being committed across the country, London is now a black spot with 20 teenage knife murders so far this year.

This weekend Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Home Secretary Jacqui Smith both expressed their regret and concern and pledged to introduce emergency measures to stem the rising tide of knife violence.

Action at last, you might say – but you’d be wasting your breath.

The so-called “emergency measure” due to be unveiled this week is nothing more than the Youth Crime Action Plan.

This will set up youth forums and knife referral projects to explain the danger of knives with trips to hospital A&E wards.

It will be focused on just seven police authorities stretching from Lancashire to London and will cost a staggering £100million.

What a complete waste of time and money.