 The court will deal with knife offences |
Scotland's only dedicated weapons court designed to fast-track offenders has been launched. Greenock Sheriff Court has set aside one day a fortnight to deal with offenders caught carrying knives or other offensive weapons.
On Thursday police displayed weapons recovered, including a crossbow, samurai swords and knuckle-dusters.
About 300 people were reported for incidents involving weapons in the Inverclyde area in 2004 and 2005.
The first weapons court took place on Thursday.
The special court is a joint initiative involving Strathclyde Police, the Crown Office and the Scottish Courts Service.
Weapon crackdown
Superintendent David Stewart, sub-divisional officer at Greenock police office, said he hoped the court would help break the west of Scotland tradition of carrying weapons.
"This new dedicated weapons court means that people will be dealt with and put through the system as soon as possible," he said.
"We are working with our partner agencies to address the issues which impact on the fear of crime and levels of violence within the Inverclyde community.
"The new, special arrangements are designed to fast-track those who are arrested in possession of a knife or offensive weapons and break the cycle of offending, custody and then re-offending."
In conjunction with the launch of the weapons court, Strathclyde Police will be targeting people who carry knives and weapons in the Inverclyde area as part of an eight-week crackdown.
High visibility patrols will be looking at known hot-spots and stopping and searching those thought to be in possession of a knife or weapon.
As part of the campaign, officers from the community safety department have been visiting local schools to educate young people on the dangers of carrying weapons.
'Worthy measure'
Supt Stewart added: "Over the past year there has been a steady reduction in the number of serious crimes of violence, such as murder, serious assault and robbery, within the Inverclyde area.
"However, there are still too many people who believe it is acceptable to carry a weapon.
"We hope that initiatives like these will reassure members of the public that Inverclyde is a safe place to work and live."
Moira Ramage, district procurator fiscal for Greenock, said: "This is an excellent example of partnership working, making our communities safer.
"We will ensure that those people who carry weapons are dealt with by the court as quickly and effectively as possible."
The Scottish National Party's justice spokesman, Kenny MacAskill, said: "The introduction of a weapons court is a worthy measure, however it does not go far enough.
"One day a fortnight to deal with weapons crime is not going to deal with the weapons offenders by any means.
"It is not a new court that we need but an increase in prioritisation of weapon crime."
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
There are still too many people who believe it is acceptable to carry a weapon
