Details released yesterday show fatal stabbings in England and Wales have risen to their highest level in three decades.

Police figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show 277 stabbing deaths in 2007-8, the highest since records began in 1977.

They showed stabbing murders in London rose by a quarter, up from 68 in 2006-7 to 86 last year.

In both West Yorkshire and Northumbria fatal stabbings rose from 10 to 15 and in Lancashire deaths more than trebled from four in 2006-7 to 13 last year, according to the statistics.

It is understood the figures may change before their official release in the new year if the police or the courts decide some homicides should be reclassified.