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Daily Record
19-06-2025
- Daily Record
East Kilbride knife crime campaign steps up bid for change with city centre march
In honour of Kayden Moy, Kory McCrimmon and Amen Teklay, parents and families will march from Rangers' Ibrox Stadium to Celtic Park this Sunday. Anti-knife crime campaigners will join parents of tragic Scots teens in a march through Glasgow this Sunday as they call for urgent action on the country's knife crime and youth violence epidemic. In honour of Kayden Moy, Kory McCrimmon and Amen Teklay, parents, families, and concerned residents from across Glasgow and the west will march from Rangers' Ibrox Stadium, through the city centre to Celtic Park this Sunday at 1pm. The 'Parents Against Knives' event is a show of solidarity and a heartfelt plea for safer streets with a clear message 'Enough is enough'. Supported by East Kilbride Neighbourhood Watch & Community Impact Project (EKCA), the aim is to bring about better opportunities for young people, and stronger support for families. Following the tragic death of Kayden Moy at Irvine Beach last month, EKCA has called on South Lanarkshire Council and Police Scotland to urgently address the rise in knife crime and youth violence in East Kilbride. The shocking tragedy has prompted local charities and community groups to help educate young people and urge open conversations with teens about crime. A petition was launched calling for calling for a local task force on knife crime prevention in the town, early intervention and education in schools and youth clubs, mentoring and mental health support for vulnerable young people and more visible and engaged neighbourhood policing. It has reached over 1400 signatures and gained backing from elected officials and local organisations. EKCA say they are willing to chair this task force and publish a report on how to address this epidemic as an impartial community-led group, to help bring together and prevent any more loss of life or injury. The group's Operation Knife Edge campaign poster can be seen displayed around the town urging community support. EK Boxing Academy has also launched 'Knives Down Gloves Up' sessions in a bid to tackle youth violence locally. KJ Yates, chief executive and chairman of The Community Impact Project/East Kilbride Neighbourhood Watch, said: "This issue transcends postcode boundaries. It's vital the whole of Glasgow stands united against the knife crime epidemic. "We must offer young people real opportunities, targeted support, and treat this crisis as a public health emergency that demands collective action. "We often hear the phrase 'it takes a village' – and at EK Neighbourhood Watch & The Community Impact Project, we believe that wholeheartedly. That's why we've been actively engaging with politicians, youth services, charities and elected officials. Progress may be slow, but we remain hopeful. "We also pause to mourn the tragic loss of Kayden Moy, whose funeral takes place this week. His family remains firmly in our thoughts and prayers. "We encourage everyone to sign, support, and share our petition – and please verify your signature, as that's the only way it is counted so we can build enough pressure on elected officials to act. No more young lives should be harmed or lost.' Sixteen-year-old Kayden Moy died in hospital following an incident at Irvine Beach in Ayrshire on May 17. Two 17-year-olds and a 14-year-old have appeared in court charged with the murder of Kayden. Scotland's justice secretary Angela Constance has pledged an additional £6m to tackle youth violence after the latest summit. The cash will come next year as part of the Scottish Government's Cashback for Communities Fund. Search for 'Time To End Knife Crime & Support The Youth Of East Kilbride' on And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Daily Record
Petition calls for East Kilbride task force to 'urgently' tackle rise in knife crime after tragic teen's death
East Kilbride Community Association & Neighbourhood Watch (EKCA) is calling for a local task force on knife crime prevention in East Kilbride. A petition has been launched urging authorities to "urgently" tackle knife crime and youth violence in East Kilbride. East Kilbride Community Association & Neighbourhood Watch (EKCA) is calling on South Lanarkshire Council and Police Scotland to address the rise in knife crime and youth violence in the town. Their call to action is in the wake of last weekend's Irvine Beach tragedy where 16-year-old East Kilbride boy Kayden Moy lost his life in an alleged stabbing. The shocking tragedy has prompted local charities and community groups to help educate young people and urge open conversations with teens about crime. Download the Lanarkshire Live app today The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now. Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7. The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you. Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android EKCA's End Knife Crime & Support the Youth of East Kilbride petition is calling for: • A local task force on knife crime prevention in East Kilbride • Early intervention and education in schools and youth clubs • Community outreach through trusted local organisations • Mentoring and mental health support for vulnerable young people • More visible and engaged neighbourhood policing • A unified approach involving community voices and frontline services and other organisations. The petition reads: "We urge the development of a coordinated local strategy that brings together key stakeholders—community groups, schools, youth services, NHS professionals, and residents—to create a safer future for our young people. "Behind every incident is a story of missed opportunities—poverty, trauma, social exclusion, and a lack of support structures. These issues, when left unaddressed, can spiral into violence and tragedy. "Recent data indicates that in South Lanarkshire, non-sexual crimes of violence increased by 21 per cent between 2018 and 2022+ highlighting a concerning trend in our community. "Scotland continues to face alarmingly high suicide rates among young men under 20, a sign that many are struggling with their mental health, identity, and place in society. We believe knife crime and rising youth violence are not just criminal issues, but also mental health and public health emergencies." East Kilbride Community Association & Neighbourhood Watch (EKCA) say they are willing to chair this task force and publish a report on how to address this epidemic as an impartial community-led group, to help bring together and prevent any more loss of life or injury. They have asked NHS Lanarkshire, Police Scotland, South Lanarkshire Council, East Kilbride's high schools, elected MP & MSP, elected councillors, youth organisations and charities and local faith leaders to join and support this initiative. EKCA continued: "We are ready to lead this collaborative approach—to support, listen, and act before more lives are lost, families shattered, or futures cut short. "Let us end the suffering of families—mothers and fathers who have to bury their children. Heaven has gained too many angels; their memories must fuel our determination to prevent further tragedies. "Sign this petition today to call for urgent, joined-up action against knife crime in East Kilbride. "Let's show our young people they are not alone—and that our town will stand up for them." Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell underlined the profound impact violent crime has on individuals, families and communities with a clear message that people should not carry weapons, during a meeting of the Scottish Police Authority Board in Glasgow yesterday. The Chief outlined that stop and search by policing has recovered over 900 weapons in the last year, with over 200 weapons recovered from people aged 17 or younger. STV reported that in Scotland, between March 5 and May 17, there have been 12 alleged knife incidents involving youths, with 16 teenagers arrested and/or charged. Chief Constable Farrell said policing would continue to work with partners, including the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit, Medics Against Violence, Crimestoppers youth initiative Fearless, local authorities, and others to prevent violence. She said: "The tragic death of 16-year-old Kayden Moy at the weekend has had a profound impact on communities in East Kilbride and across Lanarkshire, in Ayrshire, and right across Scotland. "Officers are supporting Kayden's family and our thoughts are with his loved ones. "We have made an arrest and continue to appeal for any information relating to Kayden's death. We've established an online portal for members of the public to contact the investigation team. "Violent crime is at historically low levels with homicides at record low levels and attempted murders and serious assaults are also at low levels compared to recent years. "However, I am concerned about the some of the trends around violent crime committed by young people, and often committed against other young people and we think a notable proportion of that is happening in and around schools. "It's on policing and partners, local authorities, third sector, and beyond to work together to do all we can to prevent violence and reduce the harm it is causing. Reducing violence and preventing the harm it is causing continues to be an absolute priority. "We must continually work with partners to understand and tackle the complex issues around youth violence." *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
