General Policing Issues

 

Knife Crime Consultation

Criminal Law

Scottish Executive Justice Department

Area 1W

St. Andrew's House

Edinburgh

EH1 3DG

 

 

Ref:   DJK/JM                                                     27 September 2005

 

 

Dear Sir

 

Consultation – Tackling Knife Crime

 

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the above consultation on behalf of the Scottish Police federation, which is the staff association that represents 98% of police officers in Scotland .

 

We have considered the consultation paper and generally support the raising of the age at which a knife can be purchased from 16 to 18 years.

 

We also support the doubling of sentences as proposed but would comment that the key factor in the success of this measure lies with courts and the likelihood of thesesentences being imposed. Currently, courts generally do not impose sentences anywhere near to the maximum available to them. If the habit of knife carrying, prevalent in Scotland , particularly in the west coast urban areas, is to be broken it is imperative that the courts reflect this aim in their sentencing policy.

 

The other issues of licensing dealers who sell knives will assist in curtailing the proliferation of certain types of these weapons but it is the persons who use the knives that have to be tackled. Currently many carry knives simply because they can do so without much fear of sanction.

 We hope this is of assistance to you.

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Douglas J Keil

General Secretary