Children as young as 11 have been caught carrying knives during routine police searches, with new figures from Police Scotland revealing a 59% increase in under-18s found with blades over the past year. The data, published in the police magazine 1919, shows 145 cases in 2025 compared to 91 in 2024, involving 127 boys and 18 girls.
Youngest Offenders and Geographic Spread
Two 11-year-old boys were among those stopped, one in Glasgow and one in Irvine, Ayrshire. The Irvine seizure occurred close to where 16-year-old Kayden Moy was stabbed to death on a beach in May 2025. In separate incidents, two 12-year-old boys – one in Glasgow and one on the Isle of Bute – were also found with knives.
The stop-and-search operations often occur during checks for drugs or stolen goods. Police Scotland defended the tactic, with Assistant Chief Constable Wendy Middleton stating: "Intelligence-led stop and search is a valuable and effective policing tactic that helps us keep people safe in many different ways." She added that the force remains committed to fairness and integrity.
Political Reactions and Calls for Action
Scottish Conservative Justice spokesperson Stephen Kerr criticised the Scottish Government's approach, saying: "These deeply alarming figures are the latest evidence of the Scottish Government's soft-touch justice agenda failing Scotland. Far too many young people now believe they can carry a knife without facing serious consequences." He called for stronger deterrence and education.
Justice Secretary Neil Gray defended the government's record, stating: "There is no reason to ever carry a weapon, at any time. The Scottish Government fully supports Police Scotland to take appropriate and proportionate action to safeguard public safety." He highlighted £8 million invested since 2023 in prevention and early intervention programmes in schools, hospitals, and communities.
Context of Recent Knife Crime Cases
The figures come shortly after the conviction of three teenagers for the murder of Kayden Moy. Jay Stewart, 18, Cole Turley, 18, and a 15-year-old (who cannot be named) were found guilty of stabbing Moy during a confrontation between rival groups on Irvine beach. All three are from East Kilbride and await sentencing.
David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, emphasised the importance of stop and search: "Every one of these incidents is a knife being removed from the streets and potentially a life saved. Officers need to be supported in this work, and as it stands there are too many obstacles when an officer reasonably suspects someone may be carrying a weapon."
