McMillan Welcomes New Crack Down on Knife Crime

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP) has welcomed the news that people who choose to carry knives in public places will face tougher penalties from today as the SNP Government steps up its efforts to crack down on knife crime across Scotland.

In the last four years knife crime has fallen by 30% but the SNP Government is determined to see it fall further.

The new measures will see people caught carrying a knife in public places such as licensed premises, bus or rail stations or in crime hot spots facing penalties of up to four years and tried by jury to ensure harsher penalties can be imposed.

Speaking from Inverclyde, where £500,000 has been invested in getting knives off the streets Mr McMillan said:

"Communities like the one I represent in the West of Scotland know the damage that can be done by people carrying knives. The actions of the SNP in Government and the police over the last four years have seen knife crime fall by 30%. That is good news for communities but there is always more to do.

"The SNP will not let up in the fight against knife crime and today's announcement sends a strong message to anyone thinking of carrying a knife that they will be stopped, they will be searched and they will face the courts.

"The SNP is determined to do what works to tackle knife crime and working with the police and prosecutors today’s announcement is further evidence of our determination to drive the scourge of knife crime out of our communities."