Need for knife law now

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has criticised delays over the introduction of tough new knife licensing laws.

The forthcoming licensing restrictions will see window displays of knives banned and retailers forced to display signs indicating the minimum age for purchase.

It will also require dealers to keep records of how a customer's age and identity were verified along with full descriptions of any knives sold.

The Scottish Parliament passed a bill back in March 2007 giving the government the powers to enact the licensing restrictions as part of a tough new approach to knives.

But Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has revealed this week that the new scheme will not come into operation until June 2010.

Mr McNeil has hit out at the delays and called on the Scottish Government to take serious the issue of knife crime.

He said: “The Scottish Government has dithered on this and that means more knives on our streets in the meantime.

“These deadly weapons are being used to injure and kill people right now, not in 2010.

“There can be no reason other than complacency for the delays in toughening up the licensing laws.

“What hope can we have that this government will take the issue of knives seriously when they are so slow to enact the powers they already have?”

ENDS