Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 11 March 2026 [Draft]
11 Mar 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
Knife Crime (North Ayrshire)
At the start of this parliamentary session, North Ayrshire recorded 130 cases of people possessing an article with a blade or point in a public setting. The latest figures show that there were still 128 bladed or pointed-article crimes in 2024. With the figures showing little change over recent years, the SNP has failed to get a grip on the problem.
Given the importance of early intervention, what engagement has the Scottish Government had with schools to ensure that young people are being educated about the dangers of carrying knives and to prevent that behaviour before it starts?
In the same item of business
1. Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP)
SNP
To ask the Scottish Government how many crimes involving a knife there were in North Ayrshire in 2007-08 and 2024-25. (S6O-05619)
The Minister for Victims and Community Safety (Siobhian Brown)
SNP
While acknowledging that one knife crime is one too many, I note that knife crime has fallen considerably over the past 20 years. In North Ayrshire, the numb...
Kenneth Gibson
SNP
Can the minister say what impact the creation of Police Scotland has had on the efficiency and effectiveness of our dedicated police officers? Can she confir...
Siobhian Brown
SNP
I agree with the member on that point. Although one homicide would still be too many, homicides in Scotland are at a record low. The number of sharp object-r...
Sharon Dowey (South Scotland) (Con)
Con
At the start of this parliamentary session, North Ayrshire recorded 130 cases of people possessing an article with a blade or point in a public setting. The ...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Please respond with regard to the substantive question, minister.
Siobhian Brown
SNP
Any level of violence is unacceptable. However, as I said in my answer to the first question, there has been a reduction since 2007.In relation to work that ...
Katy Clark (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
After the death of 16-year-old Kayden Moy, who was stabbed on Irvine beach in May 2025, cuts in funding for the no knives, better lives programme were raised...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Again, please respond in relation to the substantive question, minister.
Siobhian Brown
SNP
I do not have the exact figures with me, but I know that, through the children, young people and families early intervention, 11 youth work organisations in ...