Knife crime has risen to record levels in England and Wales but as few as a fifth of offenders are being charged, official figures have revealed.

The number of knife offences rose by six per cent last year to 40,829, equivalent to more than 110 a day and the highest level since records began in 2008/09.

Homicides were also up by 6.1 per cent to 732, equivalent to more than two a day and their highest level for a decade. Four in ten of these killings involved a knife or sharp instrument.

However, the number of offenders prosecuted for knife possession has plummeted with just four in 10 (40.4 per cent) of such crimes resulting in a charge. That is down from over six in 10 in 2015/16.

In Greater Manchester, the rate has halved in four years with just 22.3 per cent of blade possession offences resulting in a charge, down from 44 per cent just four years ago. Sussex, British Transport Police and South Yorkshire are all below 30 per cent.

This week Ian Hopkins, the force’s chief constable, admitted at least four in ten of all crimes were not being fully investigated because of a lack of resources.