KNIFE CRIME FALLS 26% IN STRATHCLYDE

There has been a dramatic fall in the numbers of people carrying knives in Strathclyde.

New figures, released on the same day it was revealed that under the SNP there are now 588 additional police in Strathclyde show a 26% fall in the number of incidents of people carrying an offensive weapon – often a knife.

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP) today said the focus on alternatives for young people and serious punishments for those using a knife had had a real effect as he praised the efforts of police and communities.

Mr McMillan said:

"There has been a dramatic fall in the number of cases of knife carrying with over 1000 fewer incidents in Strathclyde in the last year.

"Carrying a knife is not acceptable in any circumstance and while there is further to go it seems that message is finally getting through to people.

"Strathclyde have put real resources and a real focus into tackling knife crime, alongside the Government’s "No knives, better lives" campaign and investment from Cashback for Communities in alternatives for our young people to knives, gangs and violence.

"However we must not be complacent. These figures show that while we still have a long way to go to wipe out knife crime and the damage it does to families we are making real progress.

"Strathclyde and the SNP Government deserve our support, not political posturing, to ensure this fall is not a one off but is the beginning of the end of knife culture in the west of Scotland."