Time for knife amnesty

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil MSP is backing calls for a nationwide knife amnesty.

An amnesty organised by Grampian Police recently reclaimed more than 1,000 knives and other weapons over a nine-month period.

Mr McNeil believes a similar scheme rolled out throughout Scotland could rid Inverclyde of many of its blades.

He said: “The last nationwide knife amnesty in 2006 pulled in 12,642 knives in just two months and this recent scheme in Grampian was a resounding success.

“It is clear that this type of action is effective in taking these deadly blades off the streets and reducing the chances of people coming to harm.

“Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has been asked to give this his consideration and I very much hope he looks on it favourably.”

ENDS