Knife crime campaign rolled out to two more areas

Weapon: The initiative has been praised by police and youth workers.© STV

A campaign that has seen knife crime cut by more than a third in one council area is being launched in Lanarkshire.

The No Knives, Better Lives initiative contributed to a 35% reduction in knife carrying in Inverclyde and a 29% reduction in knife carrying in neighbouring Renfrewshire after it was piloted in 2009.

Using a combination of advertising, education and investment in activities for young people, the campaign has been applauded by police and youth workers.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has now announced it will be rolled out to North and South Lanarkshire.

Speaking on a visit to Hamilton, Mr MacAskill said: "There is a culture of knife crime in parts of Scotland which stretches back decades and sadly, as we've seen from recent tragic events, communities continue to suffer the heartache of loved ones lost or injured as a result of knives.

"There are clearly no easy solutions but we want to do everything we possibly can to stop the next generation of young Scots from going down the wrong path in life.

"We need to tackle the root causes of knife crime and education is absolutely key. The No Knives, Better Lives education campaign has been a real success during a pilot in Inverclyde with significant drops in the number of people carrying knives in the area."

The move was welcomed by leaders of both Councils.

Councillor Jim McCabe, Leader of North Lanarkshire Council, said: "No Knives Better Lives is coming to North Lanarkshire and we are wholly behind the campaign which addresses the terrible consequences of knife crime.

"In North Lanarkshire we have a proven track record of engaging with young people through diversionary activities. The full programme of events on offer allows our young people to focus on sport not crime."

Councillor Eddie McAvoy, Leader of South Lanarkshire Council, added: "We hope that by now branding our work under No Knives, Better Lives, it will further raise awareness of the excellent work already being undertaken in our schools and communities."

Earlier in February, Mr MacAskill announced that the campaign would also be introduced in west Edinburgh.

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