One in seven young people in South Gloucestershire say they have felt the need to carry a weapon.

Some 2,207 young people from South Gloucestershire were asked if they had ever felt the need to carry a weapon, and 302 said yes. Another 147 said they would rather not say.

Three members of South Gloucestershire Youth Board said that they were aware of at least one young person who had carried a weapon in their school, with one saying there was a gang in their area.

Members of the youth board, from areas including Bradley Stoke, Filton, Cadbury Heath and Wickwar, all said they feel safe where they live, but see what is happening in the news or on social media and get ideas about how prevalent knife crime is.

South Gloucestershire Council officer Vanessa Parkhill said it was unclear how many of them had actually carried a knife.

The authority will be inviting young people to a meeting in October to hear their concerns. 

Ending knife crime was the top priority for young people in the national Make Your Mark survey, and they said the Government needs to do more to “end the epidemic”.

Avon and Somerset Police has been keen to emphasise that while knife crime is a serious issue, the reality is 99 per cent of young people do not carry a knife.

A spokesperson said: “One of the most important messages we can share with our young people is that carrying a knife is not the norm.

“However we also know that young people can be under tremendous pressure from friends and peers.

“That’s why it’s important that we start the conversation now to make sure they have the facts and support they need to make the right choices.”