Police issued a warning today after a surge in knife incidents.

One person has died, several others have been injured and there have been a number of knifepoint robberies.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Cheesman, head of Brighton CID, said: "People should realise carrying a knife is an offence in itself.

"Anyone caught in possession will be arrested and put before the courts."

He said there had been a number of knife incidents recently and overall attacks were up on last year.

He said: "I do not want to raise the fear of crime but this is giving us cause for concern."

Bank worker Danny Collard, 20, died after suffering a knife wound to his heart in Southdown Avenue, Brighton, on March 22. Five days later, a man needed 30 stitches to a face wound.

A robber armed with a knife held up staff at an off licence in Kemp Town, Brighton, and, in the latest incident, a Sussex University student was robbed at knifepoint.

The 22-year-old had a blade put to his throat and forced to handed over £20.

The incident happened on March 23 but the student has only just reported the attack.

He said: "I wasn't that bothered but then I read of other knife incidents so I thought police ought to know.

"I didn't expect to be mugged at knifepoint in Brighton. I'll think twice about going out in the evenings and in future stick to main roads."

He was walking in Shaftesbury Road, Brighton, at 8.15pm on Saturday, March 23 when he was robbed.

The offender is white, aged 35 to 40, stocky with shaved, dark hair.

Witnesses are asked to contact PC Karen Pirrie at Brighton police station on 0845 60 70999 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.