The number of young people under the age of 18 caught carrying a weapon in Tayside has increased.
Latest figures obtained through the police reveal detection rates where there is enough evidence to consider criminal proceedings rose slightly last year with officers recovering weapons from 69 youths, up by seven on 2010.
News of the rise follows last week’s Tayside Police joint board meeting where it emerged knife seizures had been cut in a period where proactive police searches for blades jumped by almost 600%.
Responding to the latest findings, Tayside Police said it was important to get into perspective the number of youths carrying a weapon.
A spokesman said: ”Yes, youths have been detected carrying offensive weapons, but they are in a very small minority amongst the youth of this area. The vast majority of our children do not carry weapons and our streets are not over-run by weapon-carrying youths.
”We treat the carrying of offensive weapons with the utmost gravity, irrespective of a person’s age. Sadly, the carrying of weapons, such as knives, can inevitably lead to the use of weapons, all too often with tragic consequences.”
A concentrated police effort has been credited with helping reduce the number of people carrying a weapon in Tayside. Over 3,000 people were stopped and searched by officers between April and December last year with 60 knives found.
The police spokesman added: ”Many of the weapons recovered from young people are as a result of proactive policing, such as intelligence-led stop and search activities, and they are found before they are put to any use. Weapons are seized and those people found in possession are charged.
”Youngsters, indeed people of all ages, should be under no illusions as to the potentially ruinous consequences of carrying an offensive weapon. Doing so can result in serious injury, or even the loss of life, including that of the person carrying that weapon if it is then turned on them.
”Carrying an offensive weapon can also bring the penalty of a criminal conviction and jail, with all the long-lasting impact that this holds for the individual, their family and friends.
”The connection that exists between offensive weapons particularly weapons of opportunity such as glasses and bottles and alcohol is a significant concern. Tayside Police works closely with the local authorities, the licensed trade and other partners to try and mitigate these risks.
”But, parents and adults at home and in the community must take a lead to discourage such behaviour. Above all, they must take an interest in their child, who they are with, where they are and what they are doing.”