Sharp rise in knife crime

Knife-related crime is on the increase

Violent crime, particularly offences involving knifes, has risen in Scotland for the third consecutive year.

Figures show that the number of violent crimes across the country rose by 11% last year, with crimes involving knives rising by 21%.

The increases come despite high-profile crackdowns by individual police forces, like the Safer Streets campaign in Strathclyde.

Scotland's chief constables say they are now planning a nationwide campaign to help tackle the problem.

Recent trends in general crime across Scotland have shown small increases.

Further high-profile operations are planned

Senior officers attending the Scottish Police Federation conference in April heard that recorded crime had risen by 1%.

This included a rise in non-sexual violent crime and those involving an offensive weapon.

Some officials say the sharp increase in recorded knife crime is precisely because of high-profile policing.

However, others insist forces need to take a tougher line.

Human rights campaigners say any increase in high-profile policing will have to take account of the adoption of the European Convention on Human Rights in Scotland.

Strathclyde Police Force reported in April that the Safer Streets campaign had resulted in 2,200 arrests in connection with violent crime and weapons offences.

A force spokesman said that, in the first 12 weeks of the campaign, 1,330 weapons, including 584 knives, were seized.