The father of Kayden Moy has issued a heartfelt plea in the Record today for action to tackle knife crime. Paul Moy asks, quite rightly, why the teenage thugs who murdered his son were at liberty despite previous arrests and warnings over violence in his hometown of East Kilbride. He says it was 'not an unavoidable tragedy.' He believes the killers could and should have been dealt with properly after previous incidents. We urge any politician seeking guidance on what to do about Scotland's knife crime epidemic to read Paul's heartfelt words.
A Brutal Murder That Shakes Illusions
The brutal murder of his 16-year-old son should shatter any illusion Scotland is 'getting a grip' on knife crime. Kayden, an unarmed lad, was chased down like an animal by a pack of teenage thugs armed with lock knives and bats. Stabbed repeatedly as he lay helpless on the ground. Left to bleed out. All over some pointless row between rival gangs. Cole Turley and Jay Stewart, both 18, and a 15-year-old who can't be named have now been convicted. But the tragedy was not isolated. There has been a heartbreaking series of teenagers killed by knife-wielding thugs over the past two years in Scotland.
Calls for Real Change
First Minister John Swinney is sincere in his stated wish to deal with the problem. He staged a summit on it after the Record's Our Kids… Our Future campaign highlighted the growing issue of youth violence. But Scotland's particular problem with knife violence among young men needs to be addressed with real change. One practical step would be an urgent increase in community policing – with recognisable officers on the ground in areas where gangs are running riot.
Practical Measures Proposed
- Metal detectors at schools
- Tougher youth curfews in hotspots
- Parents held accountable if their children are found with knives
- Social media giants must take responsibility for pushing out violent content to kids – which the UK Government's social media ban for under-16s might help stop.
Tough measures could turn the tide of Scotland's knife crime crisis. Kayden's murder must not be just a statistic. It should be a wake-up call.
Round of Applause for Tartan Army
The Tartan Army's party in Boston continues – and is only going to get crazier as we prepare for tomorrow night's game against Morocco. We report today how Scotland's hard-partying fans are drinking the city dry. Scottish brewer Tennent's has pulled out all the stops to make sure supplies are pouring in. That's a relief for the Tartan Army. And the best news ever for Boston's publicans – who are raking in a fortune.
