KNIFE CRIME CONTRAST PUTS LABOUR ON THE SPOT

KNIFE CRIME CONTRAST PUTS LABOUR ON THE SPOT

LABOUR IN GOVERNMENT SHOW UP OPPOSITION

A comparison of justice policy between England and Scotland shows a higher percentage of people face jail for carrying offensive weapons such as knives in Scotland than do under the Labour Government in England and that sentences in Scotland are nearly two months longer.

Condemning Labour's attitude of doing one thing in Government but saying the complete opposite in opposition the SNP released figures that show

Ø In England and Wales, only 21% of people convicted of possession of a knife go to prison - in Scotland it is 30%.
Ø In England and Wales, the total number of cautions and sentences given for knife or offensive weapon possession has decreased by 21% between 2008 and 2009 (7,200 to 5,600).

Ø The average length of a custodial sentence for possession of a knife was 209 days in England and Wales in Scotland it is 263 days - 25% higher.

Source: England & Wales stats: http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/docs/knife-crime-sentencing-q4-2009.pdf
Scotland stats: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/03/03114034/0
Gordon Brown has also ruled out Labour's proposed mandatory sentences for carrying knives - echoing the position of Labour's former Scottish Justice Minister Hugh Henry.

• Hugh Henry, Scottish Justice Minister (Justice 2 Committee, 2005)

“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.”

SNP MSP and Justice Committee member Stewart Maxwell, who proposed legislation which increased penalties for carrying knives said:

"This is typical Labour. Looking for the cheap headline in opposition and doing the opposite in Government.
"What is clear is that under Labour the proportion of people going to jail for carrying knives is far less than under the SNP.

"While the SNP is improving our justice system and increasing sentences in Labour led England sentences are shorter and fewer. Richard Baker's comments will be deeply embarrassing to Labour in London.

"Labour do not have a leg to stand on when it comes to knife crime and with their own Prime Minister and former Justice Minister speaking out against the policy it's time they put these ideas behind them and joined the SNP in delivering justice that works."