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Police to blitz knife gang areas | Police to blitz knife gang areas |
(about 23 hours later) | |
Police are to use stop and search powers targeting gangs in the latest crackdown on knife crime in Scotland. | Police are to use stop and search powers targeting gangs in the latest crackdown on knife crime in Scotland. |
The month-long campaign, starting on Monday, will use hand-held and walk-through metal detectors to search for blades being carried by people. | The month-long campaign, starting on Monday, will use hand-held and walk-through metal detectors to search for blades being carried by people. |
During the summer more than 1,000 weapons including swords, machetes and meat cleavers were seized. | During the summer more than 1,000 weapons including swords, machetes and meat cleavers were seized. |
Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson warned that new measures mean persistent knife carriers face up to four years in jail. | Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson warned that new measures mean persistent knife carriers face up to four years in jail. |
Scotland's eight forces will target gang-plagued areas using intelligence-led searches. | Scotland's eight forces will target gang-plagued areas using intelligence-led searches. |
Knife amnesty | Knife amnesty |
The scanning devices proved hugely successful in the previous crackdown, which ran from 30 June to 6 August 2006. | |
That campaign was launched to target those who did not take advantage of the five-week nationwide knife amnesty which ran until 30 June. | That campaign was launched to target those who did not take advantage of the five-week nationwide knife amnesty which ran until 30 June. |
The amnesty saw 13,000 weapons handed in across Scotland. | The amnesty saw 13,000 weapons handed in across Scotland. |
Since the last crackdown ended police have continued to seize a variety of weapons that could kill or maim. | Since the last crackdown ended police have continued to seize a variety of weapons that could kill or maim. |
We will continue to do everything possible to tackle knife crime Chf Insp Alex McGuire | We will continue to do everything possible to tackle knife crime Chf Insp Alex McGuire |
A 15-year-old was found with an 18in metal pole with a homemade handle at a park in Elgin, Moray. | A 15-year-old was found with an 18in metal pole with a homemade handle at a park in Elgin, Moray. |
Two men, aged 23 and 26, were arrested in Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire, after they were discovered in possession of a samurai sword. | Two men, aged 23 and 26, were arrested in Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire, after they were discovered in possession of a samurai sword. |
And a 14-year-old boy in Pollok, Glasgow, was caught with a 6in blade, while a 17-year-old youth in Livingston, West Lothian, was found carrying a meat cleaver. | And a 14-year-old boy in Pollok, Glasgow, was caught with a 6in blade, while a 17-year-old youth in Livingston, West Lothian, was found carrying a meat cleaver. |
The new crackdown is part of the year-long Safer Scotland campaign, which has previously included a blitz on underage drinkers. | The new crackdown is part of the year-long Safer Scotland campaign, which has previously included a blitz on underage drinkers. |
'Deadly weapons' | 'Deadly weapons' |
Chf Insp Alex McGuire, from the Safer Scotland co-ordination unit, said: "A small minority continue to ignore our warnings and seem to think they are above the law. | Chf Insp Alex McGuire, from the Safer Scotland co-ordination unit, said: "A small minority continue to ignore our warnings and seem to think they are above the law. |
"In the weeks ahead, officers the length and breadth of Scotland will be actively searching for knife carriers. | "In the weeks ahead, officers the length and breadth of Scotland will be actively searching for knife carriers. |
"We now have even more ways of searching for weapons and we will continue to do everything possible to tackle knife crime." | "We now have even more ways of searching for weapons and we will continue to do everything possible to tackle knife crime." |
Ms Jamieson said: "We will make knife carriers think twice before they take to the streets with these deadly weapons in their pocket." | Ms Jamieson said: "We will make knife carriers think twice before they take to the streets with these deadly weapons in their pocket." |
Measures introduced in September mean anyone caught carrying a knife in Scotland faces custody until they appear in court. | Measures introduced in September mean anyone caught carrying a knife in Scotland faces custody until they appear in court. |
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