A £5 million plan to tackle knife crime has been being revealed by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith following a spate of gang-related killings.

Meanwhile, schools are being asked to monitor computer activity of gang members by examining their accounts and taking photographs of graffiti 'tags'.

It comes a day after senior judges expressed their concern over the "escalating and grave" problem of knives and other offensive weapons being carried on Britain's streets.

Under a pilot scheme, about ten towns and cities will be selected in a bid to combat knife-crime.

The Government will also appeal directly to mothers in a series of advertisements which will be placed in women's weekly magazines, and are designed to encourage mothers to talk to their children about the dangers of carrying knives.

In a speech in Birmingham, Ms Smith said: "Talk it over with your kids. Understand the pressures they're under, and do what you can to change the perception that 'everyone is doing it.' They aren't."

She added: "Point out the dangers. They'll listen. Give them support, the advice and the dose of good old-fashioned common-sense they need - and they'll thank you for it."

One of the ads reads: "He already knows about the birds and the bees. You need to talk to him about the knives and the blades."

The Home Secretary said of the gangs action plan: "These early findings are encouraging, which is why I want to spread this approach to knife crime and build on what works.

"I'm determined that we do all we can to get all weapons off our streets and investing £5 million today to target knife hotspots across the country.

"I hope communities will welcome the increased use of knife arches and stop and search to protect their young people."

Elsewhere, the Department for Children, Schools and Families launched guidance for teachers on how to tackle gang-related incidents in schools.

It says teachers must intervene to stop students, including children at primary schools, joining gangs and to gather proof from computers and evidence such as photographs.

Reports say there is a growing fear that sexual abuse of young girls is becoming a part of gang culture in initiation rituals or revenge attacks. There is an additional concern that members are targeting younger children.

A spokesman for the department said: "Issues are growing in some of our inner cities with more fluid and localised patterns of gang activity and with gang members aiming to draw in younger children."

The guidelines advise teachers to look out for tell-tale signs of gang membership such as wearing certain colours, items of jewellery or clothing, sometimes even weapon-proof clothes.

Teachers will also be asked to examine graffiti 'tags' drawn in books and on walls. There is also emergency advice on what to do if gang violence breaks out.

There are already guidelines in place for teachers who need to search pupils for weapons, as well as advice on bullying and drug-taking.

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