London (CNN) The deaths of two 17-year-olds in London and Greater Manchester over the weekend have reignited the debate over knife crime in Britain.

A rising number of young people are falling victim to knife attacks across the country, especially in the capital, according to official statistics.

Crimes involving knives or sharp instruments soared to around 40,000 for the year ending June 2018. A total of 103 people aged under 24 were killed by sharp objects in the year ending March 2018, compared to just 58 in 2012-13.

So far this year, 19 people have been killed in knife-related attacks across Britain, according to the UK's Press Association.

Britain's government is under pressure to stem what has been described as a "national crisis." Prime Minister Theresa May faced a backlash on Monday after rejecting claims that years of steep cuts to police forces had contributed to the rising number of knife attacks.