Police have charged more than 2,700 people with possessing knives in the capital in the past year, Scotland Yard said today.

The figure was revealed as the Met launched a new crackdown on criminals and gangs carrying knives in London.

Officers will conduct weapon sweeps and operations to confiscate knives and target hundreds of known knife carriers.

The Met said that since May last year, a total of 2,709 individuals had been charged with possessing knives — about 85 per cent of the number arrested for the offence.

A total of 474 people were given cautions for possession. Police did not give further details of why they were not charged.

Police also released an image of a so-called zombie knife, a type of weapon which is now banned from sale, which was seized in Lambeth.

Last month, police launched a 100-strong taskforce to combat a 24 per cent increase in knife crime in London over the 12 months to April. Specialist squads were deployed to outbreaks of violence.

This week, in the latest phase of the Operation Sceptre initiative, the taskforce, a mix of detectives and uniform officers, will be out in force in areas with high rates of weapon attacks.

Acting Detective Chief Superintendent Sean Yates, the deputy head of Operation Sceptre, said: “We need to change attitudes to carrying knives and are encouraging key people in positions of influence to drive this messaging forward.

“The introduction of the taskforce, working closely with boroughs, allows us to create a more co-ordinated and consistent approach to reducing knife crime by carrying out intense weapon sweeps, intelligence-led stop and search and tackling those offenders who are wanted in connection with knife-related offences and violent crime.

"This type of activity is essential and has a real impact; however it will only ever be part of the solution.”

He added: “We are starting to see a mobilisation from the community against knife crime and we need this to continue.”

Earlier phases of the operation led to the seizure of 29 knives, one electric shock baton, knuckle-dusters, ammonia spray and one firearm.

City of London and British Transport Police will also be taking part in Operation Sceptre for the first time this week.