Commenting as the Scottish Government publishes a consultation on a licensing scheme for shops that sell knives, Liberal Democrat Shadow Justice Secretary Margaret Smith MSP said:

“I am pleased that the Scottish Government is consulting on using the powers, introduced by the previous administration, to introduce a licensing scheme for knife retailers.

“Ministers should also consider introducing maximum seven year combined custody and community sentences for possession of a knife. This should be backed up with mapping for “hot spots” for violence and gang activity, which could then be targeted for intense and high visibility policing.

“Too many lives are lost or destroyed because of the blade culture that has sprung up in Scotland. The Scottish Government must take action to crack down on and deter those who think it’s acceptable to carry and use a knife.”