Gray calls for knife crime clampdown

SCOTTISH Labour leader Iain Gray cited recent fatal stabbings in Tranent and Gorebridge as he called for mandatory jail sentences for knife crime at Holyrood.

Mr Gray also praised the efforts of Edinburgh mother Tracy Smyth, who collected more than 2000 signatures in just six days on a petition calling for five-year sentences for carrying a knife.

Paul Scott, 22, from Niddrie, died following an alleged serious assault in Tranent on February 7 and Dale Bennett, 17, died after being stabbed during an incident in Gorebridge on February 12.

Speaking during First Minister's Questions at the Scottish Parliament this week, Mr Gray said: "More people were killed last year using a knife than any other weapon.

"Some 2855 people were convicted for handling an offensive weapon.

"Yet in 2009-10, 68 per cent of knife carriers did not receive a custodial sentence."

First Minister Alex Salmond said crime in Scotland was at its lowest level for 32 years and fear of crime had also fallen.