Searches rise in knife clampdown

Mr MacAskill said a "no tolerance" approach was needed to knife crime

Police in Forth Valley have carried out 1,100 stop and searches since May, according to new figures.

The force said 19 knives had been confiscated as it targets males aged between 14 and 22 in a bid to reduce knife crime in the area.

The figures were released as Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill visited Falkirk Police Station to meet with officers involved in the crackdown.

He said it was too easy to view knife crime as a "west coast problem".

Since the launch of its campaign, police have increased the number of searches and visited the homes of those they consider most likely to be carrying knifes.

'Enforcement measures'

Speaking ahead of his visit, Mr MacAskill said: "Far too many lives are lost and people injured through acts of mindless violence - often as a result of the blade culture that blights many communities.

"We need to convince people that knives are lethal weapons.

"That means pursuing a twin approach of education and enforcement right across Scotland and that is exactly what this new initiative delivers."

He said it was an issue that affected many Scottish communities.

"This no tolerance approach in Falkirk is exactly what is needed, cracking down on those that carry knives on our streets through tough stop and search enforcement measures," he said.

"The message couldn't be clearer - carry a knife on the streets and you risk being sent to jail."

The police crackdown in Forth Valley comes after a sharp increase in the number of knife-related crimes taking place in local communities.

Figures from the force show a 66% rise in knife incidents across the Forth Valley.

Data also revealed that calls to police about knife crime has risen by 23% over the same period.