The British Transport Police (BTP) are seeking witnesses to an incident that occurred at Lanark railway station on Friday, December 29, 2023. According to the BTP, a large group of young people gathered at the station around 10 pm and one of them attempted to board a train with a knife. The man was prevented from entering the train by the staff and no one was injured. The BTP are asking anyone who saw the incident or who has any information to contact them by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 with the reference number 2300154476. Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Knife crime on the rise in Scotland
The incident at Lanark station is the latest in a series of knife-related offences in Scotland. According to the latest statistics from the Scottish Government, there were 2,267 crimes of handling an offensive weapon in 2022-23, an increase of 8% from the previous year. Of these, 1,403 were crimes of possessing a knife or other sharp instrument, a rise of 10%. The majority of these crimes (71%) occurred in public places, such as streets, parks, and transport hubs. The most common age group of offenders was 16-20 years old, accounting for 36% of the total.
How to prevent and report knife crime
The BTP and other police forces have been working to tackle knife crime and educate the public about the dangers and consequences of carrying a weapon. They have launched campaigns such as #LivesNotKnives and #NoKnifeBetterLife to raise awareness and provide support to young people who may be at risk of getting involved in knife crime. They have also conducted operations to detect and seize weapons from offenders and disrupt criminal activity. The BTP advise anyone who witnesses or experiences knife crime to report it immediately by calling 999 or contacting them via text or phone. They also urge anyone who has information about someone who carries a knife or other weapon to speak up and help prevent further harm.
