A teenage poet has penned a sonnet in response to reports of escalating knife crime across the capital.

Stevie Wickes, of Cowdray Road, Hillingdon, was inspired to write the poem after watching numerous news programmes on teenagers killed with knives.

The 13-year-old told the Gazette how she often feels nervous when out with friends.

She said: "I feel afraid walking around the streets. My friends feel the same. I know of people who carry knives because they think it's cool. I think it's definitely getting worse."

More than 20 teenagers have been killed in knife and gun related attacks this year, although none in Hillingdon.

Last month four teens suffered stab wounds after a late-night brawl outside the Blue Dragon dry-cleaners in Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon.

Inspector Andy Jones said: "I think this young person's poem reflects the views of the majority of young people in society but it may take a while for this message to get through.

"A number of high profile cases have brought these crimes into the public domain but the MPS is clamping down on carrying knives and is getting high levels of public support."

The pupil, of Bishopshalt School in, Royal Lane, Hillingdon, has always had a flair for English and enjoyed writing poetry.

Proud mother Michelle Hill, 47, said: "I think she gets it (poetry) from me. She wrote me a beautiful poem for my birthday.

"I worry about her. It's frightening to think of sending your children out there and one day they may never come home."

A Part Of Life by Stevie Wickes.

People being stabbed every day, police ain't shocked - just don't know what to say.

Guns and weapons, now a part of life, Teenagers everywhere carrying a knife. Gangs on corners every night, Gangs on corners just waiting for a fight.

People too scared to walk around alone, People too scared to walk with a phone. So many muggings and rapings as well, This world has changed, now more like hell.

Knife crime has gone rapidly over the top now, We have to take action and stop it somehow.

Talk to the teenagers and bring them to sense,

Stop them from making this stupid offence.

I'm thirteen myself and I hate the knife crime, And I honestly think it's a complete waste of time.

Most teenage boys just do it to be cool, But honestly, it ain't clever at all.

It's a silly idea to carry a knife, But I'm sorry to say, it's now a part of life!

Gangs carry weapons and fight to be respected, And others have said they do it just to be protected.

We have to take action and so something fast!

We need to make knife crime a thing of the past!!