PRESS RELEASE

Photocall: Monday, April 14, 11.30am – 12.30pm, Sidekix / Operation Reclaim, Petershill Community Sports Facility, 28 – 30 Adamswell Street, Springburn G21 4DD

Police have stopped and searched over 6000 potential violent troublemakers as part of a nationwide clampdown on gang violence.

Officers have carried out 6075 gang / group related stop searches so far across Scotland as part of the Communities Working With Collective Violence initiative.

The initiative, which addresses everything from gang/group violence to general public disorder through a combination of hard-edged enforcement, attitudinal change programmes and diversionary activities, is the latest phase in the ongoing Safer Scotland anti-violence campaign, coordinated by the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU).

Key aims of the phase are to build on current work and develop more methods of tackling problems of group disorder which can be put into practice long term.

As part of the programme of diversionary activity, 9956 youths have so far taken part in a variety of diversionary activities, ranging from sports to music.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy McKay, Safer Scotland coordinator, said:
“These interim figures show that this three pronged attack on gang and group disorder is working. We are coming down hard on those committing violence and trying to prevent future violent incidents through attitudinal change programmes and diversionary activities. We should be under no illusion that

this problem will stop overnight, but by building on this work, we can make inroads into making our communities safer for everyone.”

The Collective Violence phase also consolidates the work carried out in the knives and alcohol phases of this year’s campaign. Over 500 weapons (including knives) have been seized so far as part of this latest phase, while alcohol has been confiscated from more than 870 underage drinkers.

DCI Inspector McKay said:

“Alcohol and knives are key elements in gang and group violence, which is why we have redoubled our efforts to clampdown on these factors during this phase of the campaign. Removing them means reducing the risk of violence occurring in the first place.

“However, whenever and wherever violence does occur, we will tackle it. Those who take part in recreational violence should be fully aware that this is not acceptable behaviour and we will come after them.”

The phase is backed by an additional government funding which was recently pledged by Cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny MacAskill to help fund behavioural and attitudinal change programmes. A separate release detailing how the funding has been allocated will be issued by the Justice Department today.

The Communities Working With Collective Violence phase will continue across the schools spring holidays. A final set of figures will be issued towards the end of April.