LABOUR REJECT OWN KNIFE CRIME PLAN

LABOUR REJECT OWN KNIFE CRIME PLAN

SENTENCES LONGER AND CRIME RATE LOWER UNDER SNP

Commenting on proposals to change sentences on knife crime the SNP highlighted Labour’s rejection of these plans when in Government in Scotland and their current rejection of them whilst in government in England.

In evidence to the Justice 2 Committee in 2005 then Justice Minster Hugh Henry said: “I do not think that the proposal for mandatory sentences would either solve the problem or help with it. Indeed, there could be unintended consequences.”

Justice Committee member Nigel Don said:

“When they were the Executive Labour and the Justice Committee had the sense to see that this proposal was both unworkable and unhelpful. The UK Labour Government recognises that this is the wrong approach.

“The police working to reduce the impact of knife crime recognise that mandatory sentences are not the solution. DCS John Carnochan - the head of the violence reduction unit - is on record as not supporting them. This SNP Government is investing in keeping people away from knives as that is the long term solution, not sending youngsters to the university of crimes which is our gaols.

“And the most recent figures show that violent crime is falling as the Scottish government’s approach takes knives off the streets.

"Our sheriffs do not need to be told what to do; they already have the power they need to send offenders to gaol for up to four years, and the average sentence has been increasing over recent years.

“We need to take the right action that makes people feel safer in their homes and on their streets that’s why the SNP is putting more police on the streets and creating alternatives for our young people not promoting unworkable and unhelpful policies.”