145 weapons are taken off streets

May 21 2008 By Shirley Bartynek

MORE than 100 weapons have been removed from streets in North Lanarkshire during a crackdown on violent crime in the area.

Officers arrested 45 people for possession of offensive weapons during the four-week crackdown which began on Monday, April 21.

The campaign against violence is helping to make the streets of North Lanarkshire safer, with 145 weapons (mainly knives) removed from the streets and officers stopping and searching over 2000 people during the four-week period.

Red bins placed within police offices across North Lanarkshire encouraged members of the public to hand in weapons, with 100 handed in during the weapons phase.

Pro-active, high-visibility patrols in the area continued to increase public reassurance and anyone suspected of carrying weapons was subjected to sustained and targeted stop and search activity, with officers using metal detectors to uncover concealed items.

During this period, a 12-year-old boy, in Wishaw, was reported to the Procurator Fiscal for possession of offensive weapons.

Three women were also arrested for carrying weapons: a 35-year-old woman from Bellshill, a 19-year old in Wishaw and a 15-year-old girl in Shotts.

Kitchen knives, baseball bats, pieces of wood and metal poles were the most common weapons seized. However, a meat cleaver, a flick knife, a sword, knuckledusters and a whip were also taken off the streets by officers.

Officers also worked in partnership with trading standards officers to educate and warn shopkeepers about selling knives in the area.

Making them aware that any retailer found to be selling knives or blades to anyone under the age of 18 could face a hefty fine – or find themselves in jail.

The weapons phase has also seen community safety officers and school campus officers continuing important prevention work in schools.

Speaking of the success of the crackdown, Divisional Commander for North Lanarkshire, Chief Superintendent Caroline Scott, said: “Moving into the next phase of the campaign, we will continue to deter violence and reduce opportunities for violence to prevail through high visibility and pro-active intelligence led patrols to areas of concern.

“However, we will continue to drive home the message that carrying weapons isn’t clever. Anyone intending to carry a weapon should think again and consider the serious consequences. We still encourage any person who knows of anyone carrying a knife or weapon to report this to the police or anonymously through Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.

“Please do so before it’s too late – you could be saving a life.”