The Portsmouth and England star has given his backing to the government's It Doesn't Have To Happen campaign aimed at ending the recent spate of fatal stabbings.

The goalkeeper sat alongside fellow high-profile England players David Beckham and Rio Ferdinand at yesterday's launch of the anti-knife campaign.

The players met Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and senior police officers ahead of their match with the Czech Republic.

James said: 'I've got three teenage children who live in London – they go to parties. I fear they might get hurt.

'As athletes we all had releases in sport which meant we could focus on something, and not be bored so much. If people got involved in sports it could take their focus away from carrying knives.'

Beckham added: 'We've got a voice – a voice that kids listen to. It's so important that we get involved in this, so important that we believe that things can change because no-one wants to pack their children off to school and never see them again.'

The campaign will highlight the potential consequences of carrying knives as well as the alternatives open to young people.