Wendy Challenges West of Scotland MSP’s to ‘Stand up and be Counted’ on Knife Crime

Violence costs Scotland £3bn every year
Knife crime claims over 2100 bed days in local (Greater Glasgow & Clyde) hospitals

WENDY ALEXANDER MSP has called for  all Renfrewshire politicians to ‘stand up and be counted on knife crime’ and back Labour’s plans to take tough action against knife criminals next week.

As MSPs prepare to vote on the Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill  on Wednesday,  Wendy revealed that knife attacks mean that  in 08/09  2193 bed days  were  taken up in GREATER GLASGOW & CLYDE hospitals and highlighted government research that states that violence including knife crime costs Scotland £3bn every year.

Wendy said:

“This week all MSPs have a chance to stand up and be counted on knife crime. We can decide to listen to the tens of thousands of  decent Buddies  who say that enough is enough and introduce minimum mandatory sentences for knife criminals.

“Ordinary, hardworking Scots are sick of the excuses and want action from MSPs on this key issue.

“Labour’s tough plans on tackling knife crime are in the Bill as it stands and can only be removed if MSPs make the active decision to remove them  on Wednesday . It is a choice that  we each  will have to make but Labour will stand up for victims of knife crime.  I want each SNP West of Scotland MSP – Stuart McMillan, Stewart Maxwell, Bill Wilson, Gil Paterson – to support jail for Knife crimes.

“Knife criminals need to know that if you carry a knife you will go to jail. Anything else will mean more violence, more strain on our health service and sadly more needless deaths.”

“In  Renfrewshire , you do not have to look far for examples of lives being ruined by knife crime. That is why I am pleased that knife crime victims like John Muir are coming to the Parliament this week and reminding MSPs that they have an opportunity here to make our communities safer.

“Too many times, the presence of a knife has escalated a confrontation from someone getting a nasty fight to a tragic death and we have to send a message that carrying a knife is unacceptable.” 

“Violence costs Scotland £3bn every year, knife crime costs the NHS £500m alone and with over 3500 bed days in Scottish hospitals being taken up to treat knife crime victims there is no time to waste.