Offenders carrying knives who are given custodial sentences have slumped to a record low despite government guidance to toughen up the sentencing.

The most recent Ministry of Justice figures show a total of 18997 knife and offensive weapons cases were dealt with in the year to September. The proportion of offenders who were given an immediate jail sentence was 31% - lowest recorded since records began. Some 25% were given suspended sentences.

Even for repeat knife offenders only 40% were given immediate jail sentences. The fall comes after the senior presiding judge for England & Wales issued guidance that courts should avoid giving custodial sentences where possible because the prisons are full.