ENGLAND football stars called for an end to the country's knife crime crisis today.

Members of the national squad said a series of tragic fatal stabbings must end.

They met Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and senior police officers today at the team hotel ahead of their clash with the Czech Republic.

Manager Fabio Capello said his players want to use their influence to save other youngsters from a bloody fate.

He said: "The players are well aware of the positive impact that they can have on those growing up.

"I am proud that they have taken the initiative to support this important programme."

Mr Capello was talking about the Government "It Doesn't Have To Happen" campaign that urges young people not to carry blades.

New figures revealed today that almost 750 people have been stopped and searched every day since a £2 million knife crime blitz was launched in June.

Officers have stopped 55,000 people, arrested 2,500 suspects and seized 1,600 knives during operations in 10 violent hotspots in England and Wales.

Ms Smith announced more funds will be made available to pay for 85 more portable search arches and 566 search wands to enable even more operations to take place.

She said: "The tragic deaths of Conor Black in Manchester and Nilanthan Murddi in Croydon, show why the work in the action programme is so important.

"If you carry a knife you are now more likely to get caught, more likely to be prosecuted and more likely to go to prison if found guilty.

Complex

"Knife crime is a complex issue which we all need to work together to solve.

"Enforcement action is only one part of the solution. I am pleased that the England football team will be supporting our marketing campaign 'It Doesn't Have To Happen' urging young people not to carry knives.

"I want to reinforce our commitment to tackling knives and getting them off our streets.

"Working with the police, local authorities, the Health Service and partners like the FA, we will do all we can to protect young people, their families and communities from the fear and grief of knife crime."

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Alf Hitchcock, of the Metropolitan Police, said: "Knife crimes causes massive grief and pain to both the victims, families and their communities and that is why we have a duty both to the public and the victims of these awful crimes to take a tough approach to those who carry knives."

The ten areas involved in the Government blitz account for 70% of knife violence.

They are: London, Essex, Lancashire, West Yorkshire, Merseyside, the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Nottinghamshire, South Wales and Thames Valley.