Police, schools and local authorities must become more transparent about knife crime in order to target the rising number of people carrying weapons, according to a non-for profit group tackling the issue.

Almost every week young men from Waltham Forest appear in court charged with possession of a blade.

Most months there are reported stabbings in the borough.

The founder of Anti-Knife Crime UK has spoken out about how these attacks should be spoken about in schools and to the wider community to be able to stamp out the problem.

Danny O’Brien started raising money for the Ben Kinsella Trust in 2008 after the 16-year-old was stabbed to death in Islington.

In 2010 his own nephew was stabbed in the neck in West London.

He began travelling around the UK educating young people on knife crime. Over the last four years he has seen a significant rise in the number of incidents, especially in the capital.

He said: “I started reporting knife crime incidents across the country – to make people realise just how common they are.

“The media doesn’t report every incident. Personally, I think the police are dampening down how much they tell people, or how much they talk about it, but that has to stop. We need to be talking about knife crime – being open and honest about it.

“The natural assumption is that the person is in a gang; that is not always the case.

“What we are seeing now is an increase in older people now carrying out knife attacks. With less government money being spent on social care there is a gap in the community of people whose needs are not being properly met.”

In 2012 Anti-Knife Crime UK began a poster campaign to help people understand the penalties of carrying a weapon.

Seventy-two football clubs displayed them at their grounds.

This month, the second large campaign began, which is being backed by Leyton Orient players.

Players at Leyton Orient have become increasingly involved with the charity, with many wearing wrist bands supporting the cause.

Mr O’Brien who works at the Orient stadium in Oliver Road believes education and transparency is key to prevention.

“I have learnt a lot and I have met some interesting people. Most of the knife carriers I have come across told me they never meant to use it,” he said.

“They were scared and they thought it would protect them.

“Young children can become isolated very easily – especially if parents are having a hard time with finances or other stress.

“Gangs know how to recruit them, they offer them safety and before they know it they are deep into the gang being asked to do things for the gang.

“Education around knives has to improve. It is no good saying kids at primary schools are not exposed to gang culture – this is not true.

“Other children are scared to tell their parents or teachers about people who have a knife.

“We need to talk to our children – don’t be scared to check their internet history or search their bag, it is our job to keep them safe.”

For more information visit email Mr O’Brien or follow them on Twitter at @antiknifeuk.