A multimillion-pound scheme to help communities turn young people away from gang culture is being unveiled as the Labour Party conference concentrates on crime.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith will pledge to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with those who have "turned the tragedy of violent crime into positive action".
Her speech comes the day after thousands of people took to the streets of London calling for an end to knife and gun crime - and another young person was stabbed to death in the capital.
The £3.8 million fund will allow community groups in 10 knife crime hotspots to apply for up to £10,000 to help pay for mentoring of young people and youth activities.
The second day of the conference begins amid conflicting opinion poll news for under-fire Prime Minister Gordon Brown - who told delegates on Saturday that he was determined to continue.
One poll showed a nine-point cut in the Tory lead - mainly due to a Liberal Democrat surge - but another suggested 60% of Labour members expected him to lead them to defeat.
Another analysis, which looked at voting intentions in marginal seats and was carried out by the PoliticsHome.com website, concluded that the Conservatives were set for a massive landslide.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister acknowledged that crimes of violence and theft can be expected to rise during the economic downturn.
"We know that, historically, in tough economic times, there has been a rise in crimes of violence and theft," he wrote. "With tough policing, tough penalties and united communities, we can keep crime down, and make Britain a stronger, safer nation."
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His comment echoed a leaked Home Office memo which caused controversy earlier this month by warning that the Government must be prepared for the possibility that tough economic circumstances could prompt a rise in crime, racial tension and terrorism.
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