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Daily Record
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Youth violence branded 'public health emergency' as Scots campaigners urge authorities to cut knife deaths
East Kilbride Neighbourhood Watch and Community Impact Project have stepped up their fight for urgent action on the country's knife crime and youth violence epidemic. Anti-knife crime campaigners have challenged authorities to act now to save young lives branding youth violence a "public health emergency". East Kilbride Neighbourhood Watch and Community Impact Project have petitioned South Lanarkshire Council and Police Scotland to urgently address the rise in knife crime and youth violence in East Kilbride following the tragic death of local 16-year-old Kayden Moy at Irvine Beach. More than 1900 people have signed the petition and an anti-knife crime march in Glasgow last month in memory of Kayden Moy and Scots knife crime victims Kory McCrimmon and Amen Teklay stepped up their fight for urgent action on the country's knife crime and youth violence epidemic. But chairman KJ Yates told Lanarkshire Live the group are becoming "increasingly frustrating" and "disappointed" that Police Scotland and First Minister John Swinney have yet to respond to their calls for action. "It is becoming increasingly frustrating - and frankly disappointing - that key stakeholders have yet to respond to our petition", he said. 'We have consistently called knife crime and youth violence a Public Health Emergency - and today, we reaffirm that call. This crisis is destroying lives, traumatising families, and putting a generation at risk. " We welcome the cross-party support of Joani Reid MP and Collette Stevenson MSP, but now urge South Lanarkshire Council, Police Scotland, local councillors, charities and community groups to step up." Figures gathered by the pressure group show that in South Lanarkshire violent crime has risen by 21 per cent in recent years with youth-related violence and knife possession increasingly Glasgow, knife crime rose by 13 per cent between 2022 and 2024 and almost one third of all stop searches for weapons now involve Scotland last year 91 children were caught carrying knives - some as young as 10 - and there was a 600 per cent rise in serious youth assaults with Police Scotland seizing 248 knives from schools. Joani Reid, Scottish Labour MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven, described social media as a "breeding ground for youth violence" and said she would make knife crime a focus of her campaigning and constituency work over the summer. She called on ministers to "get tough" with social media companies who allow teens to pose with dangerous weapons while highlighting the tragic death of Kayden Moy at Home Office questions earlier this month. Mr Yates added: "We also call on the First Minister to consider using Scotland's existing public health emergency powers and direct his ministers to coordinate a national, trauma-informed response. "This is for Kayden Moy, Kory McCrimmon, and Amen Teklay - it's also about every young person across Scotland presently at risk who deserves to grow up safe, seen, and supported. It's time to step up, take action and save lives." Kayden Moy was found seriously injured on Irvine beach in North Ayrshire on May 17, and later died at Crosshouse Hospital. He was laid to rest just five days after what would have been his 17th birthday. Three teenagers have been arrested following Kayden's death. Two 17-year-olds and a 14-year-old have appeared in court charged with murder. Mr Yates continued: "Kayden Moy, a promising 16-year-old from East Kilbride -his life full of talent, dreams and potential - was cut short. His family was devastated. "Kayden wasn't just a name in the news, he was part of our community. Sadly, Kayden is not the only one." Chief Superintendent Vicky Watson said tackling the harmful effects of violent crime remains a priority for police in Scotland. "Violence in any form and the possession of weapons in our communities has no place in Scotland and is entirely unacceptable", said Ch Supt Watson. "We understand concerns in relation to the tragic death of Kayden Moy, and our thoughts remain with his family and friends. We know that this has had a devastating impact, not only on his loved ones, but also the wider community in East Kilbride and beyond. "Our local officers, school campus officers and dedicated preventions officers continue to respond to the concerns raised by the community in respect of knife crime. This includes providing educational workshops to high school and late primary school pupils, highlighting the dangers of carrying a weapon and the devastating impact it can have on those involved." She added: "We continue to deliver our 'No Knives, Better Lives' workshops, and are engaging with youth groups in the East Kilbride area to encourage our young people to make better choices. "We are carrying out work with key partners in the YMCA and the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit and have recently launched a survey aimed at youths in the area to gather their views on knife crime and what measures can be implemented in response, as part of a collaborative approach. "Tackling the harmful effects of violent crime remains a priority for our officers and we are determined to keep our communities safe." South Lanarkshire Council have offered their support to the campaign. A spokesperson said: 'This has been a tragic event and our profound sympathies go out to Kayden's loved ones. 'We would be willing to engage with East Kilbride Community Association & Neighbourhood Watch and other partners about the potential for council involvement in any efforts to tackle knife crime.' The Scottish Government said it is investing over £500,000 in violence prevention programmes for 2025/26, including £345,000 for Medics Against Violence's Hospital Navigator programme and £156,000 for Mentors in Violence Prevention to ensure early intervention and prevention. They added that this is in addition to "record" police investment of £1.64 billion this year - up almost £90 million - and follows £48 million awarded to victims' organisations since 2022, including £18 million to Victim Support Scotland. A spokesman said: 'We send our heartfelt condolences to Kayden Moy's family and every family who has suffered unimaginable loss due to knife crime. 'The Scottish Government has been clear that no one should ever carry a weapon and we are taking action with increased funding for the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit as part of a broader package to tackle violence." Sign the petition here. And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook? Head on over and give us a like and share!
Daily Record
16-07-2025
- Daily Record
Chilling images show huge blade seized by cops at bus station as teen boy charged
Terrified locals reacted to the disturbing images on social media. A schoolboy has been arrested after he was allegedly caught brandishing a huge blade at a bus station. Chilling images show a police officer wearing evidence gloves and clutching the knife as the 15-year-old was led away from the scene at Glenrothes Bus Station at around 6.35pm on Monday July 14. The teen was charged by attending cops and will be reported to the relevant authorities. No-one was injured in the incident. Terrified locals reacted to the disturbing pictures on social media. One wrote: "This is exactly why I don't let my kids out." Another said: "This really gives me the fear these days." A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 6.35pm on Monday, 14 July 2025, police received a report of a male youth in possession of a knife in the Postgates area of Glenrothes. "Officers attended and the 15-year-old was charged in connection. He will be reported to the relevant authorities. No-one was injured.' The incident comes amid the Record's Our Kids ... Our Future campaign, which was launched two years ago in response to an epidemic of youth violence in Scotland. We have called for action to help tackle the issue and urge the Scottish Government to urgently invest more cash into communities to provide children and young people with safe spaces to go. The country has been rocked by a number of sickening attacks on kids in the past year as three teenagers have lost their lives as result of knife crime, Kayden Moy, 16, was found with serious injuries at Irvine beach on May 17. The East Kilbride teen was rushed to hospital but sadly died a short time later. Three teenagers, one aged 14 and two aged 17, have been charged in connection with his death. Amen Teklay, a 15-year-old Eritrean refugee, died after being found seriously injured in Maryhill on March 5. Two boys aged 14 and 16 appeared in court charged with murder following the 15-year-old's death. Kory McCrimmon, 16, died after being attacked with a blade in the city's Greenfield Park on May 31, 2024. A 14-year-old boy was sentenced to five years for the culpable homicide of Kory. Prior to these tragic deaths, Justin McLaughlin was stabbed in the heart and left to die on the platform of Glasgow's High Street train station by Daniel Haig, 18, on October 16, 2021. Justin, who celebrated his 14th birthday just two days earlier, pleaded for his mother as friends came to his aid. He was taken to hospital but never recovered. Haig had his prison term shortened to 13 years last July, however, there is no guarantee he will be released from custody at the end of that term. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Record
08-07-2025
- Daily Record
East Kilbride MP urges ministers to 'get tough' on knife crime after death of Kayden Moy
Joani Reid is pressing ministers to get tough with social media companies who let teens pose with dangerous weapons. East Kilbride's MP has called on ministers to "get tough" with social media companies who allow teens to pose with dangerous weapons while highlighting the tragic death of Kayden Moy. Describing social media as a "breeding ground for youth violence", Joani Reid, Scottish Labour MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven, said she would make knife crime a focus of her campaigning and constituency work over the summer. At Home Office questions yesterday, she raised the tragic and shocking death of 16-year-old East Kilbride boy Kayden Moy, who died after being allegedly stabbed at Irvine Beach on May 17. 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 Three teenagers have been arrested following Kayden's death. Two 17-year-olds and a 14-year-old have appeared in court charged with murder. The MP is now pressing ministers to get tough with social media companies who let teens pose with dangerous weapons. She said the police claim they are powerless to take any action. Joani Reid said: 'Kayden's death was a tragedy for his family and a shock to the whole of East Kilbride. The worrying fact is that knife crime is rising across Scotland, even in schools, and we need to mobilise as a community to bring it under control. 'I have been sent numerous videos by concerned and frightened constituents of boys and young men posing in their bedrooms with dangerous knifes and blades. "The social media companies refuse to act, and the police say they have not got the power to act. But there can be no excuses for doing nothing when we all know this bravado leads on to violence. 'I will use the summer weeks to press social media companies, public authorities and the Scottish government to get their act together on knife crime and to insist we get real action and not more excuses.' The shocking tragedy has prompted local charities and community groups to help educate young people and urge open conversations with teens about crime. East Kilbride Neighbourhood Watch & Community Impact Project have petitioned South Lanarkshire Council and Police Scotland to urgently address the rise in knife crime and youth violence in East Kilbride. Campaigners are calling for a local task force on knife crime prevention to be set up, early intervention and education in schools and youth clubs and more visible and engaged neighbourhood policing. More than 1800 people have signed the petition and an anti-knife crime march in Glasgow on Sunday stepped up their fight for urgent action on the country's knife crime and youth violence epidemic. Sign the petition here.
Daily Record
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Scots MP calls for tighter social media regulation after 'online knife crime glamorisation'
Kayden Moy was found with serious injuries at Irvine beach on May 17. A Labour MP has called for a stop to the "very real glamorisation of knife crime online", following the death of Scots teenager Kayden Moy. Kayden, 16, was found with serious injuries at Irvine beach on May 17. The East Kilbride teen was rushed to hospital but sadly died a short time later. Three teenagers, one aged 14 and two aged 17, have been charged in connection with his death. On Monday, during Home Office Questions at Westminster, Joani Reid - MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven - raised the issue of knife crime being glorified on social media. It comes amid the Record's applauded Our Kids ... Our Future campaign which was launched two years ago in response to a youth violence epidemic. As part of the campaign, we have repeatedly demanded for online tech giants to enforce fully their policies on tackling harmful content such as videos of young people attacking others. Ms Reid said: "Six weeks ago, Kayden Moy, a 16-year-old boy from East Kilbride in my constituency, was stabbed to death, leaving his family bereft and a community - my community - in grief. "Since Kayden's tragic death, I have received multiple videos and images of local youths posing while wielding machetes in their own homes, but the police claim that they are powerless to take any action whatever. "Does the Minister agree that much more needs to be done to stop the very real glamorisation of knife crime online, and to prevent social media from being a breeding ground for youth violence?" The minister expressed her condolences to Kayden's family and friends. She continued: "My hon. Friend is absolutely right about the role that social media can play in glamorising these types of weapons. "That is why it is so important that we have measures in the Crime and Policing Bill and the Online Safety Act 2023 to start to tackle that. As I say, it is absolutely appalling." Afterwards, Reid pledged to continue to press the issue. She added: 'Kayden's death was a tragedy for his family and a shock to the whole of East Kilbride. The worrying fact is that knife crime is rising across Scotland, even in schools, and we need to mobilise as a community to bring it under control. 'I have been sent numerous videos by concerned and frightened constituents of boys and young men posing in their bedrooms with dangerous knives and blades. The social media companies refuse to act, and the police say they have not got the power to act. But there can be no excuses for doing nothing when we all know this bravado leads on to violence. 'I will use the summer weeks to press social media companies, public authorities and the Scottish government to get their act together on knife crime and to insist we get real action and not more excuses.' As part of the Our Kids ... Our Future campaign, the Record have repeatedly demanded the Scottish Government to invest in young people, so they can be nurtured, mentored and guided in every community. Last month, Glasgow's council leader Susan Aitken described the tragic deaths of three teenagers to knife crime as 'a warning sign' in an emergency meeting on youth violence. Scotland has been rocked by three blade tragedies in less than 12 months. Alongside Kayden, Amen Teklay, an Eritrean refugee, died after being found seriously injured in Maryhill on March 5. Kory McCrimmon, 16, died after being attacked with a blade in Greenfield Park on May 31, 2024. A 14-year-old boy was sentenced to five years for the culpable homicide of Kory. The issue was brought before the full council after a powerful march on Sunday June 22 by the family of Kory McCrimmon. His grieving parents, leading the Parents Against Knives campaign, told the country "enough is enough" and demanded action from leaders in Holyrood. City leader Susan Aitken said the three deaths showed there was a growing problem with youth violence in Scotland. She said: 'If some of our young people are being drawn into violence by anti-social behaviou r that negatively affects them and the wider public then that's a problem and we need to address it. 'If other young folk are so fearful of being affected by violence that they themselves need to carry blades, that's a cycle we need to break.' Scotland's justice secretary has pledged an additional £6m to tackle youth violence after the latest summit. Cabinet Secretary Angela Constance announced the move last month and will come next year as part of the Scottish Government's Cashback for Communities Fund. Constance went on to admit there is little she can say to comfort the parents of the boys involved in all three tragedies. She said: "I know there is probably little I can say to comfort grieving families. "I also know from my direct engagement with families of victims who have suffered a fatality that what they want more than anything, is to know that this won't happen to any other families. "They also want to know that the risk of this happening to others is reduced. "That's why we are so focused on prevention because that is the best and most effective way to prevent other families from facing this." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Scottish Sun
01-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Scots school violence epidemic laid bare as guns, knives and razor blades seized from kids
It comes amid a shocking rise in violence amongst youngsters CLASS WARS Scots school violence epidemic laid bare as guns, knives and razor blades seized from kids Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WEAPONS including guns and razor blades have been seized from kids in schools, it has emerged. Pupils in Aberdeen have been caught with more than 40 potentially deadly items on their person, including knives, BB guns, and multi-tools. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Amen Teklay was found with fatal injuries on Clarendon Street, Glasgow Credit: PA 5 Kayden Moy died following reports of a disturbance at a beach in Ayrshire Credit: PA 5 Scots schoolboy Kory McCrimmon was brutally stabbed to death in Glasgow Credit: Collect The alarming new figures come amid concerns about a rise in school violence and weapons seizures across Scotland. They were recorded since the start of 2024 and also show that 24 of the 43 confiscations took place at primary schools, with a butterfly training knife, pocket knife and a Stanley knife among the weapons found. And around half of all items seized involved knives, with lunch hall cutlery, scissors, corkscrew, sharpened sticks, nitrous oxide cannister, potato peeler, bottle opener, and a razor blade also discovered. In April, a 12-year-old girl was injured in an alleged knife attack at Aberdeen's Hazlehead Academy. The child was rushed to hospital for treatment and a 14-year-old girl was later charged. Knife crime has allegedly been linked to the recent deaths of schoolboy Amen Teklay, 15, East Kilbride lad Kayden Moy, 16, and Kory McCrimmon, 16, who was fatally stabbed in a Glasgow park. Last month, Parents Against Knives, founded by Kory's heartbroken family, led a march against blade violence. Despite horrendous conditions, Kory's family were undeterred in sending a message to Scotland's justice minister - and called for hope to be returned to the streets. The heavens opened as their Parents Against Knives procession kicked off after the youngster's dad Neil, 57, and mum Elizabeth, 44, were greeted by Rangers legend Mark Hateley at Ibrox before walking four miles to Celtic Park. The couple released a blue love-heart balloon with the words, 'love mum and dad' into the sky . They then unfurled a large banner emblazoned with their darling boy's picture and the words 'Parents Against Knives, Save Our Children'. The marchers carried on through the sodden streets to Celtic's ground, which sits right next to their home in the Barrowfield area of the city. Scottish Tory shadow justice secretary and North East MSP, Liam Kerr, said: 'The high number of weapons being brought into schools across Aberdeen is frightening. 'These appalling figures highlight the epidemic of violence in schools – and the woeful level of government support being given to tackle this weapon-carrying culture.' 5 Parents Against Knives walk from the Ibrox stadium to Parkhead in Glasgow Credit: PA
