The UK Border Agency is now working with the Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland (ACPOS) and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) in a joint effort to make Scotland safer.
The campaign was launched at Glasgow International Airport with a display of the type of weapons often legal in other countries but banned in the UK that have been seized from air travellers by UKBA officers north of the border.
The campaign covers all of Scotland’s five major airports and serves as a stark reminder to people going on holiday abroad that the authorities will adopt a zero tolerance approach – including the prospect of prosecution – if they bring offensive weapons back.
At the official campaign launch, UKBA officers were also on hand to advise travellers about what can and cannot be legally brought back from their holidays and trips abroad. Posters and public address announcements at Glasgow International Airport will reinforce this message, highlighting the likelihood of prosecution and conviction when caught.
Programme built on education
Murdo MacMillan, the UK Border Agency’s assistant director in Scotland, said: “We want to educate people about those knives and weapons that are illegal to bring into Scotland from overseas. Just because you can legally buy an item while on holiday abroad does not mean you can legally bring it into Scotland.”
He added: “We are determined to prevent lethal weapons from reaching our streets. Ignorance of the law is no defence. Whether you are trying to deliberately smuggle weapons into Scotland or are simply unaware of the controls in place, if you’re found breaking the law by carrying banned knives and offensive weapons then you will be stopped, the weapons will be seized and you will face prosecution.”
The initiative is being supported by Scottish police forces represented by ACPOS and by the COPFS. John Watt, area procurator fiscal for Argyll and Clyde, said: “COPFS welcomes and is fully supportive of the campaign. As Scotland’s sole prosecution authority, we are absolutely committed to taking a tough line with all those who carry or import knives and other weapons, or who go on to commit violent crime.”
Watt continued: “I want there to be no doubt – regardless of whether the weapon was legal in the country of purchase, there is a strong presumption of prosecution for anyone found in possession of knifes or other offensive weapons. There is no place in Scotland for illegal weapons or those who carry them.”
Chief superintendent Ruaraidh Nicolson, secretary of ACPOS’ Criminal Justice business area, stated: “ACPOS fully supports the UK Border Agency in its Offensive Weapons Campaign. While offences involving knives and offensive weapons are down, there were 7,042 offensive weapons crimes recorded in Scotland last year. The carrying of knives and offensive weapons is unacceptable. It’s important that, along with our partners in the UK Border Agency and Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal Service, we take a robust approach in dealing with those who break the law.”
Further information on the work of the UK Border Agency may be accessed online. Click the dedicated link at the foot of this page