Knife Crime Convictions Soar in North East - McInnes

12.00.00am GMT Thu 18th Mar 2010

Official figures showing an increase of 15% in 12 months for people being in possession of dangerous weapons have been revealed.

In 2008-2009, 187 people in Grampian were convicted of handling items such as knives, pickaxe handles and baseball bats

Commenting, Liberal Democrat MSP for the North East Alison McInnes said:

"There has been a significant increase in the number of individuals charged with possessing an offensive weapon in Grampian. Violent crime blights communities and the Scottish Government needs to take action.

"Labour and the Tories are too busy having a bidding war about who can look the toughest on knife crime to come up with real solutions.

"If the Scottish Government is really committed to making Grampian safer, then it will work with the police to tackle the root cause of crime and target the gangs who promote carrying weapons."