Prince Charles has called for more to be done to tackle the “pervasive horror” of knife crime – describing recent killings across the UK as “terrible deeds of darkness”.

In an Easter message, the Prince of Wales said he and his son Prince Harry were filled with “immense sadness” after hearing the stories of those affected by violence.

Dozens of people have lost their lives as a result of knife crime this year, with the government and the police coming under intense pressure to curb fatal stabbings.

Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Prince Charles said: “Recently, Prince Harry and I brought together some of those who have been affected by knife crime to see what more could be done to tackle this pervasive horror.

“Listening to those who have suffered from such attacks filled us both with immense sadness.

“But their remarkable determination to move forward and address the causes of such crime and to find solutions was, for me, yet another example of the light shining in the darkness.”

There were 285 homicides where the method of killing was by a knife or sharp instrument in England and Wales in 2017-18 – the highest number since records started in 1946.

Prince Charles wrote: “Of course, those who commit such brutal deeds need to face up to their crimes through being brought to justice.

“However, very often it is not the punishment that brings them to their senses and changes them, but rather the extraordinary power of the forgiveness from those they have hurt.”

He also referred to last month’s terror attack in New Zealand, where 50 people were shot dead, writing: “Last month we saw another remarkable example of forgiveness following the utterly appalling attack on Muslims in Christchurch.

“The Easter message, with its emphasis on the timeless and universal values of forgiveness and reconciliation, gives hope to us all whether we live by faith or not.

“It encourages us to look for and to celebrate those moments in our own lives and in our own communities when we see the light overcoming the darkness.”

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