Commenting on research into gang culture published by the Scottish Government, Liberal Democrat Justice spokesman Robert Brown MSP said:
“This report shows the response to gang culture and the carrying of knives is complex but, in particular, is not stopped or significantly reduced by the fear of jail sentences, as some people claim.
“It largely destroys the basis of Labour’s plans to lock up everyone found with a knife, which, the report confirms, simply does not work. What makes a difference is the kind of approach used by the Violence Reduction Unit to reduce gang violence and cut the influence of gangs on young people.
“We need to tackle the deep rooted reasons why young people carry a knife.â€
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