SNP Candidate in the Glasgow East by election Cllr John Mason today highlighted figures, released in a Parliamentary answer last week, showing that only one person was convicted of selling knives to underage people in Strathclyde between 2003/4 and 2006/7.

Cllr Mason said that Labour had clearly failed, and supported the discussions between Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and police forces regarding a tougher enforsement regime, which may include test purchasing for knives.

Speaking from Glasgow East Cllr Mason said: "These figures reveal the failure of the previous Labour/Liberal Executive in tackling the problem of knife crime amongst young people.

"That only one person was convicted in Strathclyde during the last four years of the Labour-led administration speaks volumes about their lack of real commitment to tackling this problem.

"In contrast to Labour’s out of touch attitude, the SNP is on the side of people in Glasgow East, putting more bobbies on the beat and looking to enforce the law with a tougher enforcement regime, which could include test purchasing, instead of leaving the legislation on the shelf.

"The SNP are delivering the policies for more bobbies, less booze and no blades on streets in Glasgow East and across the country. That’s why we are taking the issue of knife crime seriously and tackling the problem at every opportunity."