Tough action on knife crime
The Scottish Government works with police forces in Scotland to keep the public safe from the dangers of knife crime, and to ensure that those who commit offences are caught and punished.
It is important that police forces have the equipment they need to make our communities safer. That is why in the last year we invested £90,000 in hi-tech metal detectors to help them catch people carrying knives. We also recognise though, that police officers are not the only people who can help stop knife carrying. That's why in the last year we've invested £30,000 in hand held metal detectors for pubs and clubs. They've been given out through the Scottish Business Crime Centre as part of the Best Bar None awards, which promote safety and good practice in licensed premises.
ACPOS anti-violence campaign
The Violence Reduction Unit co-ordinate the ongoing ACPOS anti-violence campaign. By working with police forces, the Violence Reduction Unit is able to promote enforcement activities and share best practice across Scotland. Last year as part of this campaign, the police in Scotland;
- Stop searched 257,000 people
- Seized 1,663 weapons, the vast majority knives, from individuals
- Recovered 897 weapons through the placement of disposal bins in police stations
Tougher sentencing
There have also been big increases recently in the lengths of sentences for people caught carrying knives and other weapons. The average custodial sentence last year was 263 days, which is more than 8 and a half months. This is more than double what it was in 2005/06.
Case Study - Operation Access
Police forces in Scotland are using innovative approaches to tackle knife crime. Strathclyde Police's Operation Access was established to tackle young people posting images and videos of themselves with knife and other weapons on social networking sites. Police officers trawl these sites in search of inappropriate content, and when criminal activity is found enquiries are made and offenders reported to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscals Service. To date, over 100 people have been arrested as a result of this operation.