Scottish knife crime penalties are toughest in UK

CRIMINALS carrying knives are more likely to be jailed, and given longer sentences, in Scotland than the rest of the UK.

Figures from the Scottish Government illustrate that people in Scotland caught with a knife are 50 per cent more likely to receive a custodial sentence than those in England in Wales.

The sentences they get are, on average, 75 per cent longer than those south of the border.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said the statistics reflect the tough approach adopted by police, the courts and the Government.

He said: “There is a culture of knife crime in parts of Scotland, which stretches back decades, and sadly, as we’ve seen from recent tragic events, communities continue to suffer the heartache of loved ones lost or injured as a result of knives.

“We know that the key to tackling knife crime is a combination of tough enforcement on the streets backed by early intervention and education.

“That is why on the streets, our police forces are taking a no-nonsense approach through carrying out a record number of stop and searches, and our prosecutors are cracking down hard on those who are caught carrying and using knives through a strengthened prosecution policy announced by the Lord Advocate last year.

“Our courts in Scotland are also responding, discharging the toughest knife sentencing regime in the UK.”

Those jailed in Scotland in 2010-11 were given an average sentence of 288 days in prison, compared with 165 days in England and Wales.

Government figures also show fewer recorded crimes for handling an offensive weapon in Scotland, down from a high of 10,110 in 2006-07 to 6,283 in 2010-11.