SIR DAVID Amess pleaded with the Prime Minister to end "senseless" knife crime in just months prior to his own death.

The Southend West MP, who was tragically stabbed to death on the job last Friday, raised the issue of knife crime in a Parliamentary Speech on March 3.

Addressing Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Sir David paid tribute to 18-year-old Luke Bellfield who died from a stab wound to the heart, suffered near the Peterboat pub, in High Street, on February 26.

He said: "Last Friday my constituent Mr Luke Bellfield who was aged just 18 was stabbed to death just a few miles from his home.

"This has been horrendous for his family and for his friends who have been left behind and my heart goes out to them all.

"What more does my right honourable friend think the police, society, and Parliament can do to make sure that in the future there will never be such senseless murders again.”

Alfie Pollard, 18, of Woodside, Leigh, admitted to charges of possession of a bladed article and possession of a Class B drug in connection with the incident at Southend Magistrates’ Court hearing last month.

Police investigating the killing of Sir David Amess have arrested a 25-year-old man on suspicion of murder.

The incident has been formally declared as terrorism by Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Dean Haydon. The Met’s Counter Terrorism Command is leading the investigation.

On Saturday, detectives were granted a warrant of further detention at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, allowing them to keep the man in custody until Friday, October 22, when the warrant expires.

As part of the fast-paced investigation, officers have attended three addresses in the London area and conducted searches.