PRESS RELEASE

Police have seized 2200 knives and other weapons during an anti-violence crackdown.

During the three week blitz police have been out in force across Scotland targeting knife carriers.

239 knives and 221 other weapons were recovered following searches during the enforcement phase, which is part of this year’s Safer Scotland anti-violence campaign, co-ordinated by the Violence Reduction Unit.

A total of 14305 people were stopped and searched during the enforcement phase, with weapons ranging from folding knives and locking knives to samurai swords being recovered.

Many of the searches were carried out using airport-style Ferroguard poles and hand held metal detectors. 1757 knives were also handed in by members of the public using special disposal bins. This included 53 swords.

Chief Inspector Andy McKay, Safer Scotland co-ordinator, said:
“It is a real achievement to see so many knives taken out of circulation across the country. These results are a testimony to the hard work of officers across Scotland and send a clear message to knife carriers that we will catch them.

He added that the figures, while impressive, should also be seen in a wider context.

“The ongoing efforts to tackle knife crime do not stop or start with a three week knife campaign. This is something we are committed to tackling long term, not just through contain and manage initiatives but also through developing strong links with communities via youth diversion activities, education and targeted advertising. Violence and weapons are everyone’s problem and so is the solution.”

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “There are still far too many people being injured or killed because they have been attacked with a knife, or other dangerous weapon. In many parts of Scotland, carrying a knife is seen as some kind of fashion accessory or something to be proud of. They are no such thing. They are lethal weapons and there are too many of them on our streets. That’s why I’m pleased to see a further 2200 weapons have been taken off the streets during this latest campaign by the Violence Reduction Unit and our police forces. This is a great success and I hope the rest of the campaign will build on such a great start. “However we are not complacent and recognise we need to keep taking action - for example through the extra £1m for Community Safety Partnerships to deal with alcohol related violence, our proposals to tackle alcohol misuse and the problems it creates and more work to educate young people about the dangers of knives - all of which will make our streets and communities safer.”

Total number of knives seized / recovered:

• British Transport Police - 0
• Central – 20
• Dumfries & Galloway – 12
• Fife – 140
• Grampian – 446
• Lothian & Borders – 106
• Northern - 182
• Strathclyde – 1018
• Tayside – 7

Total number of other weapons seized / recovered:

• British Transport Police - 0
• Central – 7
• Dumfries & Galloway – 2
• Fife – 3
• Grampian – 27
• Lothian & Borders – 34
• Northern - 16
• Strathclyde – 192
• Tayside – 5

Total number of stop searches:

• British Transport Police - 38
• Central – 2350
• Dumfries & Galloway – 10
• Fife – 995
• Grampian – 250
• Lothian & Borders – 4808
• Northern - 14
• Strathclyde – 5813
• Tayside – 27

The next phase of the Safer Scotland campaign will be Communities Against Alcohol Fuelled Violence, which will run from 3 – 21 December.