Children Carrying Weapons in SNP’s Soft-Touch Scotland Exposed in New Report
A new report reveals alarming cases of children carrying weapons in Scotland, raising serious concerns about juvenile crime.
Scotland, Edinburgh, East Fife, Ayr, Juvenile Crime, Weapons
Edinburgh: A new report shows many children in Scotland are carrying weapons. One shocking case involved a 14-year-old with a gun. Another case had a ten-year-old found with a knife.
Critics say these statistics show the Scottish Government is not doing enough. They claim ministers are “asleep at the wheel” while juvenile crime rises.
The Scottish Police Federation agrees. They point out that fewer officers in schools means missed chances to prevent crime.
From April to September last year, 123 kids aged ten to 17 were caught with weapons. This is over a quarter of all positive searches by police during that time.
Opposition politicians find these numbers very concerning. They accuse the government of ignoring the problem while crime increases.
Analysis from a policing magazine revealed that kids are also found with knives, drugs, and stolen items. In total, there were 566 searches involving under-18s with illegal items.
One case involved a ten-year-old with a knife in east Edinburgh. A 14-year-old with a gun was stopped in east Fife. Several 12-year-olds, including a girl in Ayr, were also caught with weapons and drugs.
David Threadgold, from the Scottish Police Federation, says police presence in schools has decreased. This makes it harder to prevent kids from getting involved in crime.
He explains that officers must make quick decisions when facing people with weapons. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell how old someone is.
Threadgold adds that less police visibility in communities means fewer chances to build relationships and gather intelligence to solve these issues.
Ministers Need to ‘Wake Up’
The Scottish Conservatives are calling for action. Liam Kerr, their justice spokesman, says SNP ministers must recognize the seriousness of the situation.
He insists they need to ensure children are educated about crime and provide police with necessary resources.
Scottish Labour supports this view. Katy Clark, their community safety spokesman, finds it disturbing that young children are carrying dangerous weapons.
‘We Have Invested £4m Over the Past Two Years’
She warns that this situation could lead children down a dangerous path before they even reach their teens.
Police Scotland states that officers follow strict guidelines when searching young people. A Scottish Government spokesman claims crime is not out of control, as recorded crime has dropped 40% since 2006-07.
They acknowledge it’s unacceptable for any child to have weapons or drugs. The government has invested over £4 million in violence prevention efforts and programs to support young people.
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