Youths caught in possession of knives should be sent on a mandatory "weapons awareness course", an MP has said.

Will Quince told ministers that anyone under 18 who is convicted or cautioned of a knife related offence should be sent on a course to educate them about the dangers of carrying a weapon.

The Colchester MP pointed to the "hard-hitting" speed awareness courses which drivers were sent on and asked why the same model could not be applied with knife crime.

The Colchester MP said: "I would like to see any under 18 who is convicted or cautioned for a first knife-related offence to be sent on a mandatory weapons awareness course as part of any caution or sentence.

"We do this already, and I'm not making a direct comparison, if you were caught speeding at a low level, instead of having a fine you go on a days course."

He added: "Those that I know have been on it say how actually it is quite hard hitting and they show you why it's important you don't speed and very graphically about the impact of doing over 30 in a 30 can have if you were to hit a child or a pedestrian.

"The point is, it is a very graphic reminder of why you shouldn't speed.

"Why shouldn't we have young people, those under 18, who are convicted or indeed just cautioned of possession of a knife, send them on a course, mandatory course, so they have to see first-hand what the impact would be."