PRESS RELEASE

April 2nd, 2010

Knife crime admissions go up

The number of people admitted to hospital with knife-related injuries has reached its highest point for five years.

In the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde region, which covers Inverclyde, there were 877 emergency admissions to hospital.

Another 190 people elected to be admitted to hospital after being knifed.

The figures show that knife crime admissions have increased by 10 per cent since 2006.

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil believes this is further proof that tough action has to be taken on knife crime.

He said: “These worrying figures highlight the tragic toll knife crime is taking on communities across Scotland.

"The Scottish Government may talk tough on knives, but the fact is they are failing to back the tough action on knives being proposed.

“The time is right to introduce mandatory minimum custodial sentences for knife criminals, which have been endorsed by thousands of people in Inverclyde and Scotland.”

ENDS