Minister Considers Knife Amnesty Following Teen Murder Convictions
Justice Secretary Neil Gray has indicated he would consider implementing a "knife amnesty" in response to the convictions of four teenagers involved in two fatal stabbing incidents.
The SNP minister described the murders of Kayden Moy, 16, and John McNab, 22, which occurred in Irvine and Edinburgh last year, as "shocking," highlighting concerns about the increasing prevalence of knife possession among young people in Scotland.
During the last knife amnesty in 2006, over 12,500 blades were voluntarily surrendered to police without any criminal charges being pursued. The weapons collected included machetes, swords, meat cleavers, bayonets, and axes.
Gray stated that discussions with police regarding strategies to combat knife crime are ongoing, emphasizing the Scottish Government's commitment to a "preventative" approach.
Data from the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit (SVRU) revealed a 15% rise in knife possession among 11 to 15-year-olds between 2019/20 and 2024/25.
All four youths convicted in connection with the murders of Moy and McNab were aged 18 or younger at the time of the offenses.
Details of the Convictions
Jay Stewart, 18, and a 15-year-old, whose identity is protected for legal reasons, were found guilty of murdering Kayden Moy following a confrontation between rival groups on Irvine Beach on 17 May 2025.
Cole Turley, 18, pleaded guilty to Moy's murder prior to the commencement of the trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
Separately, a 17-year-old was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years for the unprovoked murder of John McNab on Great Junction Street in Leith on 2 September. This teenager, also unnamed due to age restrictions, pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a 16-year-old on Portobello Beach in Edinburgh several months earlier.
Government Response and Preventative Measures
Speaking on BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show, Gray emphasized that these murders are not isolated incidents and did not exclude the possibility of reinstating the "bin a knife" campaign, which was introduced two decades ago to encourage voluntary surrender of weapons.
"Of course we would consider the likes of knife amnesties if that is something the police and other partners feel is helpful,"
he said. However, he stressed that the government's primary focus remains on preventing young people from ever picking up knives.
"We must do all we can to prevent young people picking up a knife in the first place and involving themselves in gangs and ensure there is diversionary activity, that is where our investments are targeted."
The 2006 amnesty resulted in 12,645 weapons being deposited in over 200 special bins located at police stations across Scotland. An earlier amnesty, "Operation Blade," conducted in 1993 within the former Strathclyde policing area, saw approximately 4,500 weapons voluntarily surrendered.
Bail Conditions and Campaigns for Tougher Restrictions
At the time of McNab's murder, his killer was on bail for the Portobello Beach attack. Lisa Petrie, McNab's mother, has advocated for stricter bail conditions for individuals accused of serious knife-related injuries.
The SNP incorporated Petrie's campaign to increase public access to "bleed kits" as a manifesto pledge ahead of the Holyrood election.
Gray noted that bail conditions are under "constant review," but ultimately, decisions rest with individual courts.
"Work will continue to ensure there is clear deterrents in terms of the punishments meted out by the law,"
"We continue to keep under review the tests for bail conditions and the guidance that is available is under constant review to ensure that is got right.
"We've set forward guidance that when bail conditions are considered, public safety and the safety of the victim in the original incident are considered and are central to the consideration."
Perspectives from Former Gang Member and Youth Worker
Kevin Martin, a former gang member who now works with a youth organization in Glasgow, explained that many young people carry knives "out of fear and peer pressure."
The SVRU was originally established to address a significant wave of knife crime that led to Glasgow becoming Europe's murder capital in the early to mid-2000s.
Martin left gang life following a trip to South Africa organized by the SVRU.
He expressed concern that funding shortages risk undermining the unit's previous progress.
"I think we did make progress for a long time, but I feel as if we are going back the way,"
"Post-Covid, funding streams have been so much more limited, which is having a knock-on effect, so we are being reactive to crimes, rather than pro-active.
"We need to break the cycle. We need to go back to the old tradition with youth work, where we go into schools and meet them where they are at, give them education."
He added,
"We lost two years with the community organisations shutting down during Covid. I think we are seeing the product of that now."
