Three families who have lost loved ones to knife crime have issued an urgent plea to change how Scotland deals with the issue.
Relatives of victims came together in the capital during the final week of the Knife Angel sculpture installation in Edinburgh to demand action.
Their calls follow a decade of year-on-year increases in convictions for possession of a blade in a public place.
Now, with backing from Victim Support Scotland, the families are pressing the Scottish Government for an urgent review of current prevention programmes.
Ashleigh Mullen, whose brother Peter was killed in 2023, Neil McCrimmon, who lost his son Kory in 2024, and Lisa Petrie, whose son John McNab died in 2025, have all shared the profound impact of knife crime.
Since their bereavements, Lisa and Neil have advocated for the widespread provision of bleed kits across Scotland and campaigned for stricter controls on knife sales.
Victim Support Scotland (VSS) is now backing their cause by calling for three key commitments to tackle the crisis.
The charity is demanding a comprehensive review of youth knife crime, examining its causes, social drivers, and the effectiveness of prevention efforts.
They are also urging a review of current controls on knife sales and carrying lengths, alongside exploring national provision of bleed kits.
Sharp instruments have remained the most common weapon in cases of murder or culpable homicide in Scotland for the past 20 years, according to government figures.
Debbie Adams, Director of Development and External Affairs at Victim Support Scotland, said: “Too many people are needlessly losing their lives to knife crime in Scotland.
“Ashleigh, Neil and Lisa have bravely shared their stories in the hope of changing attitudes to knife crime and preventing it from happening in the first place.
“They, and other families impacted by knife crime, are united in their determination that nobody else should have to experience the trauma and heartbreak of losing a loved one in this way.
“Through our Support for Families Bereaved by Crime service, we witness firsthand the devastating ripple effect of knife crime. It goes beyond individual grief and trauma, spreading within families and throughout wider communities.
“Swift and drastic action must be taken to support community initiatives throughout Scotland, to help prevent these crimes from occurring and reduce the likelihood of offending.
“This is why we are calling for a comprehensive review of knife crime and its root causes, a reassessment of knife sale controls, and national provision of bleed kits across Scotland.
“The Scottish Government must commit to decisive, concrete, evidence-based actions if we have any chance of preventing more people having their lives taken by knife crime.”
The charity provides free, independent support for victims across Scotland, with helplines and webchats available throughout the week.
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