East Renfrewshire councillor raises concerns over teenagers carrying knives

dailyrecord.co.uk:

An East Renfrewshire councillor has said reports of teenagers “carrying knives” are “quite alarming”, as she raised the issue with police.

Police Scotland confirmed the “effects of knife crime” are seen across the UK, with officers in East Renfrewshire “trying to understand that picture”.Local area commander, chief inspector Graeme Gallie, said the issue often starts on social media before it “comes to the forefront in the community”.

However, he reassured councillors that knife crime is “not as prolific” in East Renfrewshire as it is elsewhere in the UK.Cllr Katie Pragnell, Labour, had asked what can be done to stop young people carrying knives, as she had heard anecdotal evidence there is an issue.“I’ve been hearing from residents that there seems to be an issue with young men, age 14/15, carrying knives,” she said, adding a resident had reported finding a knife in her “son’s friend’s jacket pocket”.She said the constituent had been told that “when one young man carries a knife then they all carry a knife because it’s defence”.Renfrewshire Live, the new free app dedicated to bringing you around the clock breaking news, is now available to download.Powered by the Paisley Daily Express, Renfrewshire Live is your go-to source for news, features and sport with live coverage provided direct to the app, seven days a week.The dedicated team of experienced journalists, responsible for the publication of the award-winning Express, will focus on breaking news, day and night, across Renfrewshire’s towns and villages.There is also a dedicated St Mirren section that will follow every kick of the ball with the Buddies. Available on both Android and Apple.