From: "David M", [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Knives don't kill people, people kill people.
Now where have I heard an expression something like that before?
DM
Electronic Telegraph
ISSUE 2022 Thursday 7 December 2000
Knives blamed for rise in Scotland's murder rate
By Nick Britten, Scotland Political Correspondent
LABOUR'S purge on Scotland's escalating knife culture lay in tatters last
night after official figures revealed a huge increase in the number of fatal
stabbings.
The overall number of killings has risen by around a quarter in a year,
owing to the increased use of knives and is approaching record levels. Jim
Wallace, the Justice Minister, said the figures were "unacceptable". "There
is a clear picture of young men carrying knives who are prepared to use them
regardless of the consequences, not only to their victims and their families
but also to themselves and to their own families."
The figures released by the Government Statistical Service showed that there
were 120 murder victims in Scotland last year, an increase of 22 and only 16
below the post-war record of 136, which was reached in 1992 and 1996.
All the extra victims were men and were the result of an attack with a knife
or sharp instrument. This type of injury accounted for 66 lives, more than
half the total. Ninety-nine men died violently last year while the female
figure remained constant at 19.
The death of more than half the victims was attributed to rages or quarrels,
many resulting from alcohol or drug abuse. More than three-quarters of the
victims knew their killer or killers. A quarter were killed by their partner
or a relative, many as an escalation of ongoing domestic abuse. Only one of
the cases has yet to be solved.
In Strathclyde, murders increased from 63 in 1998 to 82 last year. There
were increases in the number of killings in Aberdeen, Lothian and Borders
and Dumfries and Galloway, while numbers fell in Fife, Tayside and Northern.
Mr Wallace said: "That 120 people should suffer a violent death at the hands
of another person is totally unacceptable in the modern civilised Scotland
we are trying to create. Alcohol is often involved. This annual pattern of
young men with knives killing young men cannot be allowed to continue.
"Today's figures once again demonstrate a tragic and senseless waste of
life. We will do all we can to protect our communities." A wide-ranging
review of the police service undertaken recently recommended a shake-up of
support services to create a unified support structure for the eight forces.
Malcolm Chisholm, the deputy health minister, is today due to announce
details of a strategy to tackle alcohol misuse. Police forces are targeting
licensed premises known as "hot spots" for trouble throughout December.
Roseanna Cunningham, Scottish National Party justice spokesman, said: "It is
essential that the Labour government tackles the growing knife culture in
Scotland and targets more resources towards increasing the number of police
officers on Scotland's streets."
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