JAIL sentences for knife crime are likely to double under sweeping changes to prevent Jersey’s teenagers turning to violent crime.

The police would also be give powers to search pupils for blades under the changes which Home Affairs say are needed to stop the Island being gripped by the high levels of knife crime currently blighting major cities in the UK.

Andrew Lewis, assistant Home Affairs Minister, said that the department wanted to increase the maximum jail term for carrying an offensive weapon from two to four years ‘to recognise the seriousness with which this offence is viewed’.

And police will be given authority to enter schools without a warrant and search pupils, under the supervision of the head teacher, if there is the suspicion of an offence.

The new draft law, which also better defines knives as offensive weapons, was outlined in the States yesterday by Home Affairs Minister Wendy Kinnard.

*Picture: Deputy Lewis and Senator Kinnard