| Tayside Police seized weapons including knuckledusters, knives and BB guns from dozens of children under the age of 16 last year. Wooden poles, metal poles, broken bottles, golf clubs and a meat cleaver were also used.
Figures obtained by the Tele under Freedom of Information reveal that, between January 1 and November 16 2009, 62 young people were detected for crimes including the possession of an offensive weapon, firearms offences and the carrying of a knife or blade in a public place.
Of the 62 children apprehended by police, 35 were referred to the Children’s Panel with the remaining 27 being let off with a warning.
Included in the statistics are a 15-year-old caught with a knuckleduster, a nine-year-old with a knife, a 14-year-old brandishing a screwdriver and a 10-year-old wielding a Swiss Army-style knife.
The average age of the four youngsters apprehended for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life or commit crime was just 12.
The total number of weapons offences is actually down on previous years with 73 under 16s being caught in 2007 and 94 in 2008.
Commenting on the statistics, MSP for Dundee West Joe FitzPatrick said, “Obviously I am shocked by the nature of some of these crimes being committed by children.
“While I welcome the fact we appear to be turning the tide, we must not be complacent.
“Our main focus must be to challenge this behaviour before it starts.”
He continued, “The Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities scheme is using money from the proceeds of crime to provide real opportunities for young people.
“This complements the work being done by some of our fantastic voluntary groups across Tayside.”
Leader of the Labour group on Dundee City Council, Kevin Keenan, said, “This is obviously something that needs a fresh look. It’s a sign of the deterioration of society.
“You are talking children when you are talking nine-year-olds.
“As to the answer, I’m not sure I have it but we need to discourage this.”
Among the 22 crimes relating to having an item with a blade or point in a public place were incidents including kitchen knives, bread knives and a 14-year-old wielding a meat cleaver.
Councillor Keenan said, “I’m glad to see the rate is coming down but all it takes is one fatality.”
The Strathmartine councillor called for an increased police presence to combat youths resorting to weapon-related offences.
“As you put more community wardens on the street they have less power than the police so an increase in police patrols would help. Automatic jail sentences for adults caught with a weapon might also discourage children.” |
