Wendy Repeats the ‘Carry a Knife, Go to Jail’ Call as Knife-Related Hospital Admissions Increase

Knife admissions to hospital increase 20% since 2006

Wendy Alexander MSP has accused the SNP and Liberal Democrats of complacency on knife crime as it emerged that hospital admissions due to knife attacks have risen by almost 20 per cent since 2006.  The below table gives a breakdown of the number of hospital admissions due to assault by sharp object by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Almost every NHS Board saw an increase in the last year. 

The IDS Scotland statistics show that in 2006 there were 1,564 admissions to hospital after assaults with a sharp object but that had grown to 1,857 in 2009.

This information follows revelations that knife crime costs the NHS in Scotland more than £500m a year and figures revealing that knives were used in a record 58 per cent of killings in 2008/09.

Wendy has called on the SNP and Liberal Democrats to back Labour’s plans to introduce mandatory custodial sentences for knife crime.

Wendy Alexander said:

“These shocking figures highlight the tragic toll knife crime is taking on communities across Scotland. Last year almost 2,000 victims of knife crime were admitted to Scottish hospitals, at a cost to the NHS of more than £500m. That’s £500m that could have been spent on Scottish schools, hospitals, children or older people.

“Along with those hospital admissions, knives were used in a record 58% of all murders last year more than at any time in the last 20 years. The knife murder rate in Scotland is more than double the UK average, yet the SNP and Liberal Democrats still argue to do nothing. “

“It is high time the SNP and Liberal Democrats backed Labour’s plans to introduce mandatory minimum custodial sentences for knife criminals, which have been endorsed by thousands of Scotland who have supported Labour’s ‘Carry a Knife, Go to Jail’ campaign.”

Source: SMR01 (ISD Scotland)