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Scotland’s Justice Secretary, Neil Gray, has indicated he may revisit the idea of a “knife amnesty” following the recent convictions of four teenagers in connection with two fatal stabbings. Gray characterized the killings of Kayden Moy, 16, and John McNab, 22, which occurred last year in Irvine and Edinburgh, respectively, as deeply disturbing. These incidents have intensified worries about the increasing prevalence of knife carrying among young people in the country.
Reflecting on past efforts, Gray referenced a similar amnesty held in 2006 when more than 12,500 blades—including machetes, swords, meat cleavers, bayonets, and axes—were surrendered to police without any criminal consequences. Current discussions about combatting knife crime are ongoing with police input, and the Scottish government continues to emphasize preventative strategies. Data from the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit (SVRU) reveals a 15% rise in knife possession among 11 to 15-year-olds between 2019/20 and 2024/25, highlighting the growing urgency of the issue.
The offenders responsible for the deaths of Moy and McNab were all youths aged 18 or younger. Jay Stewart, 18, along with a 15-year-old whose identity is legally protected, were found guilty of Moy’s murder following a conflict between rival groups on Irvine Beach in May 2025. Meanwhile, a 17-year-old male was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 17 years, for the unprovoked killing of McNab in Edinburgh’s Leith area in September. This same teenager had also admitted to attempting to murder a 16-year-old several months earlier at Portobello Beach. Gray stressed that these killings are not isolated events and mentioned the potential return of initiatives like the “bin a knife” campaign from two decades ago, which encouraged individuals to hand in weapons to police.
Nevertheless, Gray emphasized that the government’s priority remains preventing young people from picking up knives initially, focusing investments on diversion activities and support aimed at reducing gang involvement. He stated, “Of course we would consider the likes of knife amnesties if that is something the police and other partners feel is helpful.” In the context of legal measures, Gray noted that bail conditions are regularly reviewed but ultimately decided by the courts, adding, “Work will continue to ensure there is clear deterrents in terms of the punishments meted out by the law.” The campaign to increase public access to life-saving “bleed kits,” led by the mother of John McNab, Lisa Petrie, has also been supported by the SNP ahead of recent elections.
Former gang member Kevin Martin, now engaged with youth outreach in Glasgow, attributed the carrying of knives among young people to “fear and peer pressure.” He warned that post-pandemic funding cuts threaten to reverse progress made by the SVRU, which was originally established to address Glasgow’s high rates of knife crime during the early 2000s. Martin explained, “Post-Covid, funding streams have been so much more limited, which is having a knock-on effect, so we are being reactive to crimes, rather than pro-active.” He stressed the importance of returning to proactive youth engagement and education in schools, noting the harmful impact caused by community initiatives shutting down during the Covid-19 pandemic
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