Douglas Alexander MP

Labour MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South

STOP KNIVES SAVE LIVES - PDE CAMPAIGN

PAISLEY DAILY EXPRESS CAMPAIGN, ‘STOP KNIVES SAVE LIVES’, NEVER MORE IMPORTANT

CONCERN AS KNIFE DEATHS INCREASE BY 74 PER CENT IN A YEAR
 
The publication of new Homicide in Scotland 2010-11 statistics shows that the number of homicide victims has increased by 18% to 97 in the last year, with the number of homicides where the main method of killing was a sharp instrument increased by 74% in the last year alone,

Shockingly knife killings have increased by 74 per cent in the last year alone – and now account for a greater proportion of killings in Scotland than at any point in the last decade.
 
Drink and drugs are blamed, which of course we must tackle, but that does not explain why knives, overwhelmingly, continue to be Scotland’s weapon of choice.
   
The Paisley Daily Express has done a brilliant job and has pulled the Renfrewshire community together with its campaign STOP KNIVES SAVE LIVES. These sad figures highlight why this campaign is so important. It makes clear the need for the Scottish Government to place a renewed focus on tackling violent crime, especially knife crime, reducing reoffending and placing victims at the heart of the justice system again.

It’s by working together we can “STOP KNIVES and SAVE LIVES”. As the local MP I’m proud to support the Paisley Daily Express Campaign.