People caught carrying a knife for a second time will now face an automatic jail sentence.

The campaign to change the bill has been led by Enfield North MP Nick de Bois and Enfield Southgate MP David Burrowes.

It will mean adults caught carrying a knife for the second time in public will face an automatic jail sentence of six months, and 16 and 17-year-olds four months.

The Enfield MPs supported the Enfield Independent’s anti-knife campaign ‘Don’t Carry Don’t Kill’.

The Criminal Justice and Courts Bill, also known as the 'Enfield law', became law in December 2012.

It was given Royal Assent yesterday but has not yet been determined when it will be enforced.

Lib-Dem leader Nick Clegg opposed the automatic jail terms for carrying a knife, saying discretion should not be taken from judges.

The bill went through Parliament but it was not clear whether it would come into force before the General Election.

Delighted with the outcome, Mr de Bois told the Enfield Independent that the law will have a “significant” impact on knife crime.

He said: “I am pleased that this bill has now received Royal Assent. This law will make a significant contribution to deterring people from carrying knives.

“The truth is, to kill someone with a knife you first have to carry a knife and I hope this law will be effective is reducing the number of people who think its ok to carry knives.

"It's rare to get legislation through the House of Commons as a backbencher but thanks to public support we achieve it, and I am very grateful to the Enfield Independent for campaigning with me to win this important change."

Mr Burrowes added: "Sadly we have been reminded by the fatal stabbing in my constituency two weeks ago that the menace of knife crime is still around and killing young people.

"I am therefore pleased that our law to toughen up knife crime is now on the statute book."

The borough has been blighted in recent years with three deaths from stabbings in the past three months: the death of Khiry Ford in Haselbury Road and Jack Barry, in The Broadway, Edmonton, and Shaquan Sammy-Plummer, in Berkeley Gardens, Winchmore Hill.